Australian practice Matt Gibson Archtecture drew inspiration from mid-century Modernist architecture in Brazil for the design of this Concrete House in a suburb of Melbourne. Designed to forge a direct relationship between inside and outside the house comprises a pair of horizontally lying two-storey blocks made from concrete, wood and stone, which have been placed side by side.
The client, a builder and specialist in masonry was keen to utilise a concrete and stone palette externally. These materials along with a generous utilisation of naturally finished timber became the determining elements of both the houses’ architecture and interior. These provide a series of haptic textures that effect a powerful contrast against the smooth and more polished nature of glass and steel.
The main living spaces are left formally simple -lofty and airy. Vertical and horizontal material connections are woven through the interiors and are composed (as is the exterior) with a purity of volume and form. White plaster is interspersed amongst timber, stone, steel and concrete allowing a natural backdrop for the clients’ lifestyle, furniture and artwork.
all images © Derek Swalwell