- Project: Concrete House
- Architect: Matt Gibson Architecture
- Location: Australia, Melbourne VIC
- Year: 2015
- Photography: Derek Swalwell
Matt Gibson Architecture designed the Concrete House in suburban Melbourne, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s mid-century modernist masters—Oscar Niemeyer, Lucio Costa, and Paulo Mendes da Rocha. The client’s request for a home built primarily from concrete and stone was transformed into a bold, modernist residence where raw materiality and geometric purity define both architecture and interiors.
Inspiration from Brazilian Modernism
The design references the hallmarks of Brazilian modernism:
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Raw concrete surfaces and protruding volumes
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Lofty, airy interiors reminiscent of modernist spatial compositions
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Strong geometric forms that emphasize clarity and rhythm
This influence is evident in both the external massing and the interior atmosphere, where concrete, stone, and timber interact with glass and steel to create dramatic contrasts.
For related projects, see Contemporary Concrete Homes.
Spatial Organization
The house is organized along an east-west spine, separating functions into two longitudinal zones:
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North: Living spaces, oriented to light and openness
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South: Sleeping and utility spaces, offering privacy
Vertical voids and open connections create strong visual links across levels, enhancing transparency and spatial cohesion. The arrangement emphasizes simplicity, flow, and a modernist clarity of volume.
Material Palette and Tactility
As a builder and specialist in masonry, the client was deeply invested in materiality. The chosen palette—concrete, stone, and natural timber—shapes the architectural identity inside and out.
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Concrete and stone: Used externally for strength and permanence
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Timber: Applied generously to interiors, offering warmth and tactility
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Glass and steel: Provide sleek, polished contrasts to the raw textures
The result is a layered sensory experience, balancing haptic textures with smooth modern surfaces.
Modernist Principles for Contemporary Living
Formally simple yet spatially dynamic, the Concrete House captures the mid-century ethos of modernism while adapting it for contemporary Australian life. The interplay of openness, material honesty, and bold geometry creates a home that is both timeless and firmly rooted in its suburban context.
