Reusing concrete. Sawmill House by Archier

The house is perched on a hill edge in Yackandandah, Australia, ‘Sawmill House’, design by Melbourne based studio Archier, explores the possibility of reusing discarded concrete that goes to waste each year. Working together with the client, the structure utilized 270 one-tonne concrete blocks to craft the perimeter walls of the horizontal, flat-roofed home.

Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Befitting a regionally based sculptor, Sawmill House is a hand crafted upgrade from his existing rather rustic bohemian abode.

Working closely with the client, whom was a family member, the design developed by Archier as a conversation rather than a regimented document. Comprised of 270 one ton concrete blocks, Sawmill House explores the possibility of positively leveraging the thousands of tons of concrete that goes to waste each year.

‘Large operable veranda, screens and doors transform the space to suit various climatic and social conditions, which is crucial to our family who must operate in a diverse and sometimes extreme climate, and direct our home through a spectrum of private retreat to communal hub. Importantly, the civic nature of the design allows the building to function as a design office with a fantastic aspect’, said the client, Benjamin Gilbert.

CREDITS.

Architects.- Archier. Josh Fitzgerald, Chris Gilbert and Chris Haddad.
Client.- Benjamin Gilbert
AWARDS.-
WINNER / Residential Architecture - Houses (New) - Victorian Architecture Awards 2015.
WINNER / New House under 200m2 - Houses Awards 2015.

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Access. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Detail. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Living room. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Bedroom and courtyard. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Terrace. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Inside vision. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Kitchen. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Bathroom. Sawmill House by Archier. Photography © Ben Hosking.

Ground floor plan. Sawmill House by Archier.

Works in progress. Sawmill House by Archier.

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More information

Josh Fitzgerald, Chris Gilbert, Chris Haddad. ARCHIER

Josh Fitzgerald. B.Env.Des / M.Arch. After completing his bachelor degree at the University of Tasmania, Josh worked in a local Hobart architecture practice before moving to Melbourne to complete his Masters of Architecture at Deakin University. Demonstrating his interest and analytical knowledge of multi-residential dwellings, Josh was employed by an awarded practice moving into this typology. Over the past 5 years he been refining the systems-based architectural process employed by Archier.

Chris Gilbert. B.Env.Des / M.Arch. Originally from Northeast Victoria, Chris Gilbert moved to Tasmania to undertake his bachelor degree at the University of Tasmania, during which time he spent a semester at Lund University, Sweden. This was followed by a one year internship at Room 11 Architects before moving to Melbourne to complete a masters degree at RMIT, with interim study tours and his major thesis based in rural China. The following 5 years were spent at Room 11’s Melbourne office where he investigated building systems and procurement alternatives.

Chris Haddad. B.Env.Des / M.Arch. Registered Architect. Beginning his architectural studies at the University of Tasmania, Chris moved to Melbourne after graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Design. Here he began a Masters of Architecture at RMIT while working at award winning architecture practice Jackson Clements Burrows Architects. Upon graduating from RMIT with Distinction, Chris worked full-time at JCBA on a range of projects with varying scales and budgets. This wide breadth of experience allowed him to gain his Architect Registration in late 2013.