At its core, Horseshoe Hill is a story of family, faith and fortitude – a monumental home brought to life by Jager Build with the precision of master craftsmen and the emotion of a family determined to create something that would bring generations together for years to come. Set high on the ridge at Bald Knob in Queensland’s hinterland, this extraordinary home has been recognised with both the Queensland Master Builders House of the Year over $10 million and the 2025 HIA Sunshine Coast & Wide Bay Home of the Year, awards that honour not just its technical brilliance but the heart that inspired it.

For owners Gary and Lorilie, this was never about building a grand house or something driven by ego. It was about creating a place that could bring together family – children, grandchildren and future generations and celebrate the things that matter most. After a health scare for Lorilie, the couple decided it was time to transform their much-loved family farmhouse, a place filled with memories, but a little dark, prone to the damp and no longer suited to their growing brood. With ten grandchildren they envisioned something brighter, warmer and more accommodating, a home where everyone could come together, stay comfortably, and continue building memories for generations. That vision became the driving force behind what is now one of Queensland’s most remarkable private homes.

The property takes its name and spirit from the family’s lifelong passion for racehorses. Having owned and bred many successful horses, they wanted that love reflected in the design. The defining architectural gesture is a sweeping concrete curve shaped like a horseshoe that separates the two wings of the home – a structural feat executed with precision by Jager Build, showcasing their mastery in bringing ambitious architectural ideas to life.

 

 

Building on an exposed 23 acre site was no small undertaking. The rugged conditions demanded a material palette that could withstand the elements while softening naturally into the surrounding bushland over time. With a focus on strength and sustainability, architect Joe Adsett chose off-form concrete as the structure’s foundations and shell, this also allowed for expansive openings to take in the incredible views. Incorporating a massive 950sqm of living space, more than 100 concrete piers were drilled into the earth to support the mammoth structure which required over 600 cubic metres of concrete.

One wing of the home houses the master suite, where walls of glass frame breathtaking hinterland views. Behind it is Gary’s ‘Racing Room’, a private den that’s intimate, masculine and layered with warmth and texture. On the opposite side, Gull Design have crafted a kitchen that’s as beautiful as it is functional – a space where the family naturally gravitates during meal preparation. Flooded with light and centred around an expansive island bench long enough for almost everyone to pull up a seat, the kitchen features Gaggenau appliances and has been finished with warm timber veneer cabinetry and brass accents that create an ambiance that feels intimate and luxurious despite its generous size. Enormous sliding glass doors open the kitchen up to the covered alfresco and barbecue area where the edge of the home seems to dissolve into the horizon, seamlessly merging with the spectacular hinterland vistas.

 

 

The main living area perfectly captures the balance of grandeur and intimacy that defines this residence. A 6m high void floods the space with natural light, at the centre of which stands a dramatic stone clad wall which rises through the centre, grounding the interiors with texture and permanence. One side houses the fireplace, and on the opposite side a floating staircase of cantilevered timber treads supported by brass rods leads to the upper level beneath a skylight framed by a timber-lined ceiling. The stone and extensive use of timber from Gowan Lea Timbers add an organic quality throughout, connecting the contemporary home to the surrounding natural environment.

 

 

Despite its monumental scale, Horseshoe Hill feels grounded and human. That balance owes much to Lorilie’s influence, her passion for interiors and art and her intuitive sense of colour which inspired her decision to tint the exposed concrete with a ‘pine nut’ hue. This decision eliminated the grey and cold industrial feel found in many concrete homes. Instead a subtle warmth radiates through the interiors reflecting Lorilie’s passion and personality and brings the structure’s strength and size into harmony with its soul.

Upstairs, four bedrooms each with their own ensuite carry through the home’s refined palette and material cohesion while each having their own unique character and colour palette. Every space feels intentional and personal – none more so than the ‘bunk room’, designed to sleep fifteen! It’s a joyful expression of what this home is truly about – family, laughter and shared memories.

 

 

The home celebrates a harmonious relationship between architectural innovation and expert construction. Jager Build’s execution of a home of this scale from the curved concrete roof to the precision of recessed lighting, cedar panelling and stonework showcases a rare calibre of craftsmanship that has been recognised with the industry accolades.

 

 

Most remarkably, despite the scale and complexity, the project was completed two months ahead of schedule. At the heart of that achievement was Hunter Thomas, Director of Jager Build, whose personal dedication to the project set the tone for everyone involved. Determined to oversee every stage of the build, Hunter slept on site four nights a week accompanied by his dog Hugo to ensure no detail was overlooked. His leadership and precision transformed a complex vision into a home that feels effortless in its execution.

 

Images: Cameron Murchison

 

For Gary and Lorilie the process of creating Horseshoe Hill was much more than just building a house, it offered something profound – a sense of purpose, optimism and renewal during a difficult time following Lorilie’s health scare and an opportunity to create a family legacy. They could not be more thrilled with the outcome.

“We hit the jackpot with Hunter Thomas, who assembled a great team of craftsmen. The success of this build is really due to those who were involved.”
Says Gary

Horseshoe Hill really is an architectural triumph – a place where emotion, craftsmanship and technical mastery converge. Every element created with purpose and with care, shaped by family and love and destined to bring people together for generations to come.

 

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