Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Concrete House Built to Stand the Test of Time
The client, a masonry specialist, wanted a home that showcased concrete and stone outside and mid-century design inside
The brief for this home, like the outcome, was vast. The client, a builder and a specialist in masonry, was keen to create a house that utilised concrete and stone as the main external materials. It was to be inspired by mid-century modernism, and would exist as a home that could remain relevant as the family grew; it would enable and accommodate large family functions and engage in a meaningful way with the landscape.
Overall, the aim was to build an iconic home that would stand the test of time. And while concrete and masonry were the external materials, for the interior, the clients wanted to integrate texture through materiality.
Find an architect near you on Houzz to create your dream home
Find an architect near you on Houzz to create your dream home
The resulting structure, in a southern bayside suburb of Melbourne, is orientated east-west across the site with a deep, 10-metre setback from the front boundary. Inside, it is organised around a central entry corridor that emerges into a lofty open footprint of northern living space. The layout is designed to reveal a sequence of spaces that combine compactness and spatial expansiveness with a strong connection to the landscape.
The house has varied ceiling heights. From the compact aperture of the front door, visitors immediately encounter a double-height entry gallery.
The house has varied ceiling heights. From the compact aperture of the front door, visitors immediately encounter a double-height entry gallery.
The gallery passes by stairs to the first floor, internal access to the garage, plus a study and entrance to the master bedroom suite before it opens out on the north-facing living area.
This longitudinal volume encompasses a formal dining area to the west, a casual living and dining area in the middle, and a kitchen to the east. Both east and west areas access secluded garden breezeways, which provide connections to nature while minimising the need for artificial lighting.
“While there is significant scale in some spaces, the house is highly organised and space-efficient, with clear zoning that supports both family life and individual privacy,” says architect Matt Gibson.
This longitudinal volume encompasses a formal dining area to the west, a casual living and dining area in the middle, and a kitchen to the east. Both east and west areas access secluded garden breezeways, which provide connections to nature while minimising the need for artificial lighting.
“While there is significant scale in some spaces, the house is highly organised and space-efficient, with clear zoning that supports both family life and individual privacy,” says architect Matt Gibson.
The ground-level floor plan
The first-level floor plan
“The main spaces have been left simple, with a view to being lofty and airy,” says Gibson. The material and composition of this space intentionally invokes Brazilian modernism,” says Gibson.
The flooring throughout this area is polished concrete.
The flooring throughout this area is polished concrete.
Expanses of white plaster are interspersed among timber, glass and concrete, allowing a backdrop for the clients’ signature furniture and artwork.
The timber-clad ceiling is designed to accentuate the loftiness of the space along with a double-height polished plaster chimney.
Weplight Lora pendants: ECC Lighting & Furniture
Weplight Lora pendants: ECC Lighting & Furniture
This, together with the narrow circular columns that support the weight of the exterior eave, aims to bring about an airiness and flow to these areas.
The informal living area features impressive built-in joinery for the family’s precious collectables…
Ceiling timber: Mafi Timber
Ceiling timber: Mafi Timber
Christopher Boots Phasmida pendant: Inlite
… and leads onto the kitchen.
The off-form island bench was poured in-situ. The Qasair Argyle Burdett rangehood is from E&S Trading. The joinery veneer is Ravenna from Eveneer.
The off-form island bench was poured in-situ. The Qasair Argyle Burdett rangehood is from E&S Trading. The joinery veneer is Ravenna from Eveneer.
The butler’s pantry is to the south, where food preparation and dishes can be out of sight, out of mind.
The 16-metre-long wall of operable low-e glazing that runs along the northern side of the property frames a view of the landscape, tennis court and further into the property, the pool and cabana.
The formal living area, at the opposite end to the kitchen, has more plush furnishings, including a piano, a tufted ottoman and plump seating.
“Of particular satisfaction for us is that this house is designed specifically as a beautiful backdrop to this family’s life, blending art, landscape and natural comfort,” says Gibson.
“Of particular satisfaction for us is that this house is designed specifically as a beautiful backdrop to this family’s life, blending art, landscape and natural comfort,” says Gibson.
It also has a view and openings straight onto the backyard.
All of the bedrooms lie on the home’s southern (street-side) boundary. These more intimate rooms continue the theme of natural material usage, such as the timber and leather seen here in the master bedroom.
This organic approach to materiality also flows through to the master bedroom’s ensuite.
Rock-look porcelain vanity bench in Falda Grey: Signorino Tile Gallery
Rock-look porcelain vanity bench in Falda Grey: Signorino Tile Gallery
Endicott Filetti drystone external wall: Eco Outdoor
The pool and cabana area is perfect for hot Melbourne days.
The alfresco dining area is adjacent to the kitchen for ease of cooking.
The first-floor, tapered-concrete form provides maximum views over both the front garden (newly landscaped by Rick Eckersley) and the rear (towards the city) while east and west elevations are windowless and restrict sightlines to neighbours.
“We decided if the client wanted to use concrete and do something interesting with it, then let’s really promote the upper volume as the defining element of the building’s architecture,” says Gibson.
“We decided if the client wanted to use concrete and do something interesting with it, then let’s really promote the upper volume as the defining element of the building’s architecture,” says Gibson.
The first floor contains the remaining three bedrooms, each with an ensuite, and a ‘retreat’ area.
The first-floor deck
The courtyard deck and reflection pool outside the master bedroom
“The financial benefit for this family is a flexible, beautiful living environment developed in close consultation with their specific modes of domesticity,” says Gibson. “It’s inexpensive to heat and cool, a high-quality environment, with robust construction that maximises the site’s potential and ensures the longevity of this design and habitation for this family for the long term.”
Your turn
What do you love most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more clever design? Don’t miss the latest Stickybeak: From Closed-Up House to Close-Up Views of Nature
“The financial benefit for this family is a flexible, beautiful living environment developed in close consultation with their specific modes of domesticity,” says Gibson. “It’s inexpensive to heat and cool, a high-quality environment, with robust construction that maximises the site’s potential and ensures the longevity of this design and habitation for this family for the long term.”
Your turn
What do you love most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more clever design? Don’t miss the latest Stickybeak: From Closed-Up House to Close-Up Views of Nature
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Size: 550 square metres plus a basement
Architect: Matt Gibson Architecture + Design
Landscaper: Eckersley Garden Architecture
Internally, there would be four bedrooms, all with ensuites, a large living space, a kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a separate study space and children’s area, a powder room and an outdoor dining space with a pool and cabana. There was also to be accommodation for six vintage cars.