- Project: Korinda House
- Architect: Bent Architecture
- Location: Australia, Plenty, Victoria
- Year: 2025
- Area: 472 m2
- Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Korinda House by Bent Architecture in Plenty, Victoria, is a striking residence that redefines bushland living on the edge of Melbourne. Nestled within six acres of sloping terrain, the 472-square-meter home takes the form of interconnected masonry “blocks” carefully distributed across the land. This fragmented yet cohesive design fosters resilience, environmental harmony, and a lifestyle immersed in the natural surroundings.
Project Overview
Instead of a singular, monolithic structure, Korinda House unfolds as a series of volumes that step with the slope. These brick-like masonry “blocks” are linked by lightweight rooflines, creating a rhythm of spaces that blur the threshold between indoors and outdoors.
This approach allows the house to:
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Integrate seamlessly with the bushland landscape
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Respect the natural slope and avoid excessive cut-and-fill
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Provide flexible, distinct living zones for the family
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Create microclimates within and around the house for comfort and sustainability
By fragmenting the form, Bent Architecture transformed site challenges into design opportunities.
Design Concept: Architecture Rooted in Place
The concept was guided by resilience, both environmental and social. With fire safety, climate, and lifestyle needs in mind, the architects created a home that is simultaneously robust and inviting.
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Masonry “blocks” reference the solidity of rural outbuildings. Their tactile materiality anchors the home in the bush.
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Timbercrete cladding—a composite of timber waste, sand, and cement—provides a weathered texture and improved insulation, while reducing environmental impact.
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Rooflines that hover lightly over masonry walls accentuate the interplay between heavy and light.
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Native vegetation restoration surrounds the home, further embedding it into the landscape.
This blend of strength and openness reflects Bent Architecture’s ethos: buildings that enhance daily living while respecting environment and place.
Interior Design: Warmth, Flexibility & Everyday Living
Inside, Korinda House balances raw textures with moments of softness and intimacy.
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Exposed brickwork and polished concrete floors provide durability and an earthy character.
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Timber finishes bring warmth to living areas.
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Generous daybeds and gallery walls encourage relaxation, display, and personalization.
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Large openings and terraces ensure every space connects to views of the surrounding bushland.
The home’s interiors are deliberately functional and adaptable, designed for both family gatherings and quiet retreats. The daylit open-plan living zones flow effortlessly into sheltered outdoor areas, making the landscape a permanent presence.
Sustainability & Resilience
Beyond aesthetics, Korinda House is conceived as a resilient, future-ready dwelling:
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Off-grid readiness: Solar panels, battery storage, and water tanks provide long-term independence.
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Bushfire resilience: Non-combustible masonry, durable finishes, and defensible landscaping enhance fire safety.
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Passive performance: Thermal mass from masonry walls, cross-ventilation, and shading strategies regulate indoor comfort.
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Ecological care: Restoration of native vegetation reinforces biodiversity and soil stability.
These measures ensure the house is not only beautiful but responsible, supporting sustainable living in Australia’s challenging climate.
Korinda House by Bent Architecture exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform site constraints into architectural innovation. With its masonry “blocks,” off-grid resilience, and deep integration with the landscape, the residence offers a blueprint for sustainable bushland living.
This is more than a family home — it is a resilient architectural response to climate, landscape, and lifestyle, demonstrating how modern Australian houses can be simultaneously protective, sustainable, and inspiring.
