Operating out of Melbourne and Barwon Heads on the Bellarine Peninsula, Auhaus Architecture founded by Benjamin Stibbard and Kate Fitzpatrick is the award winning design studio behind Concrete House. Working across all platforms including new builds, renovations, interior fit-outs, lighting and architectural hardware design and fabrication, the Auhaus team are certainly not sort of a project to sink their teeth into.
WORDS Lauren Brown | STYLING Simone Haag | PHOTOGRAPHY Derek Swalwell.
Auhaus approach each project individually and tailor each design to the client based on their individual needs – resulting in an architecture style that is both visually engaging and practical to live in. Located on the Victorian Surf Coast, Concrete House is one such project that does not disappoint. The brief here was to create a warm and private sanctuary for the creative couple who live here.
Inside, the interior is warm and inviting; a strong contrast to the brutalist exterior. The spacious, double-height gallery space wraps around a large, north-facing courtyard and concrete walls are off-set by a darker, polished concrete floor and timber ceiling panels.
Backing onto wetlands and a golf course, Concrete House retains its privacy in the form of an internalised habitat complete with lush roof-top garden that takes in the views of the adjoining wetlands.
Rich materials, including purple-veined New York marble and brass detailing add sophistication and exquisite patterning in the kitchen and throughout.
The lounge room has a den like feel with a recessed fireplace and layered textural rugs, aged leathers and throws adding a further element of interest and texture. A vibrant blue velvet armchair uplifts the otherwise neutral colour scheme.
The bathroom features the same slab of purple-veined New York marble on the countertop while a black Ball Light by Michael Anastassiades is off-set to the side of a round, oversized mirror – a perfect example of all elements having been thoughtfully selected to complement one another perfectly.
Pale linens appear effortless and ooze relaxation against the panelled concrete wall with a cluster of Molteni Grado tables adding a further dimension to the space. Here, simple brass wall light and patterned rug complete the look. The juxtaposition of the man-made and the natural; the minimal and the decorative, make this home truly unique and liveable to the family that dwell here.
