Contemporary Invermay House handsomely pairs spotted gum with concrete

The contemporary Invermay House pairs cool concrete with warm-toned spotted gum to create a handsome design that rivals the home’s surrounding views.

Completed by Australian studio Moloney Architects, the single family home is sited on a large sloping site near the city of Ballarat. The modern building is made up of geometric volumes that cantilever into the landscape for dramatic views into Ballarat below.

Moloney Architects oriented the Invermay House towards the south to frame the stunning city views. The home is also spatially organized to maximize north light. The open-plan living area located in the south-facing cantilevered volume frames the best views and serves as the heart of the home. The rooms that branch out from that living area are all oriented east-west in order to retain access to north light.

The Invermay House is primarily clad in beautiful and naturally fire resistant spotted gum, which is complemented by in-situ concrete and a split-face concrete plinth that supports the home’s elevation. The cladding will weather into a gray patina over time to match the colors of the surrounding bush. The wood-and-concrete materials palette is continued in the interior, where the concrete is striped to mimic the grain and cut of timber. In addition to the many glazed openings and use of natural materials, the architects emphasize the home’s connection with the landscape with cantilevered steel-and-glass outdoor patios.