House at Big Hill by Kerstin Thompson Architects, near Victoria's Great Ocean Road, is characterised by a strong, triangular form and a restrained, honest material palette. Semi-recessed into the site, the home opens up to take advantage of the surrounding coastal and bush views. I love the simplicity of the smooth natural grey concrete block walls and concrete floor, with the subtle warmth of the plywood accents for storage and partitions. The black ceilings allow them to disappear and push the viewer through the walled space to the spectacular views beyond. Although definitely robust in form, this form creates intimate spaces where light and shadow, cool and warm, smooth and textured complement rather than compete.

{The dark roof form helps blend the house into the bush landscape}



{Contrasting smooth cool concrete floors and natural grey block walls with warm continuous blackbutt plywood Armourpanel surfaces by Big River}



{Dark picture frame windows are recessed to create deep plywood window seats for soaking up the surrounds}



{Bedroom with Armourpanel plywood storage doubling as deep window seat}



{Open kitchen kept simple with concrete and dark timbers}



{Space furniture in this living space retains the view as the hero}



{Opening to the bush beyond}



{Insitu concrete step doubles as seat and storage}



{Custom plywood joinery doubles as seating and storage, minimising need for additional furniture}



{Smooth concrete floors flow to outdoor spaces}



{Robust form to lower terrain}

Images courtesy of Kerstin Thompson Architects and photographed by Trevor Mein.


xo Romona

Tags: Architecture,Australian Design,Bedroom,Brick,Concrete,Interiors,Kitchen,Landscape,Timber,Plywood,Residential Design

Lake house by Jonathan Lake Architects makes use of a steep, compact rear block in inner-city North Perth. Taking shape as a light-weight timber box suspended on a bold rammed-concrete box, the home comprises of public living spaces below with the private spaces above. Working with the tight three hundred square metre block, principles of small house design are utilised to create generous-feeling spaces that belie the 170m² floor area. Open planned rooms with integrated laundry and cabinetry, as well as ample natural light provided by the large, full-height northern doors and windows to the light-filled courtyard make this house a flexible family home.

{To the street, Lake House takes the form of a timber box elevated on the bold box of rammed-concrete. LVL fins provided added privacy as well as character}



{Structural rammed concrete walls are left revealed as a raw, textural backdrop for kitchen and living spaces. Ply wrapped cabinetry adds warmth and the appearance of integrated furniture}



{The compact living space extends into the adjacent north-facing courtyard for indoor/outdoor entertaining. Loving all those honest materials and textures! Artwork: Shirley Purdie, Nnideudia, 1994}



{Colour-filled perforations in the plywood screens act as both an artwork and visual privacy, sun-shading and temperature control}



{Sunlight passing through the plywood screens, which feature a pattern created by artist Pamela Gaunt, casts vibrant patterns across the concrete floors and white walls. Screens are CNC routed with pebble-shaped penetrations filled with coloured acrylic}



{Instead of wasting valuable site space with driveways and garage, circulation spaces are edged with lush native and subtropical planting}



{Lake House documentation by Jonathan Lake Architects. Image source}

For more information on this project, visit Jonathan Lake Architects. Images by Robert Frith.

xo Romona

Tags: Architecture,Australian Design,Concrete,Interiors,Perth,Timber,Local,Plywood,Residential Design