Concrete House Perfectly Fills A Square-Shaped Site In Melbourne

This is a house situated in an eclectic neighborhood from Melbourne, Australia. It occupies an almost perfectly square site, with neighboring structures on the east and west-facing sides. This gave studio Matt Gibson Architecture the opportunity to focus mostly on the two remaining sides, the north and south-facing ones, highlighting the relationship between the house and its immediate surroundings but also the views which can admired from inside.

The house was completed in 2015 and was designed to maximize its footprint
The house was completed in 2015 and was designed to maximize its footprint

The house is framed by a tennis court at the rear with views of the city in the distance and by a garden and swimming pool on the opposite side. Internally, the spaces are organized on two floors and into three main zones. The entrance is placed on the ground floor and divides the house into almost perfectly symmetrical zones.

a double-height entryway is positioned almost perfectly symmetrical at the center of the ground floor
a double-height entryway is positioned almost perfectly symmetrical at the center of the ground floor
The exterior shell of the house is made of concrete which gives it a very simple and modern appearance
The exterior shell of the house is made of concrete which gives it a very simple and modern appearance
The first floor is cantilevered and forms a sheltered area in continuation to the interior spaces
The first floor is cantilevered and forms a sheltered area in continuation to the interior spaces

Full-height windows and sliding glass doors open up the rooms and give them an airy and breezy feel. The ground floor features a series of opaque screens designed to protect the privacy of the inhabitants without completely denying them the connection to the outdoors. In addition, the east and west elevations are windowless for similar reasons. The living area and the master bedroom have direct access to the garden. In terms of design, the house maintains a simple palette of materials, focusing exclusively on timber, concrete and steel.

On the ground floor the living area and master bedroom extend out into the garden and poolside area
On the ground floor the living area and master bedroom extend out into the garden and poolside area
The site is placed right next to a tennis court with views of the city beyond that
The site is placed right next to a tennis court with views of the city beyond that

The social area is an open plan space which balances out a series of contrasting elements such as the black kitchen cabinets, wooden ceilings, concrete walls and floors as well as various accent textures and colors. The result is a very casual and modern design which allows the focus to be on the views and the owner’s artwork collection.

The ground floor social area can be opened up to the outdoors and has opaque screens designed to maintain the privacy
The ground floor social area can be opened up to the outdoors and has opaque screens designed to maintain the privacy
The double-height living area features polished concrete floors, a minimalist fireplace and oversized pendant lamps
The double-height living area features polished concrete floors, a minimalist fireplace and oversized pendant lamps
The fireplace wall doubles as a space divider and is in tone with the overall minimalism design of this volume
The fireplace wall doubles as a space divider and is in tone with the overall minimalism design of this volume
The extensive use of wood throughout the house complements the exposed concrete and adds lots of warmth to the decor
The extensive use of wood throughout the house complements the exposed concrete and adds lots of warmth to the decor
The kitchen, dining room and living area are combined into a single large space on the ground floor
The kitchen, dining room and living area are combined into a single large space on the ground floor
The kitchen has a large stone island which also serves as a bar and as a space divider
The kitchen has a large stone island which also serves as a bar and as a space divider
The kitchen is almost entirely black which allows it to contrast with its white surroundings
The kitchen is almost entirely black which allows it to contrast with its white surroundings
The house fits beautifully into this eclectic neighborhood and shows subtle references to mid-century modern design
The house fits beautifully into this eclectic neighborhood and shows subtle references to mid-century modern design