Located at Breakneck Gorge, less than two hours from Melbourne, this house for short stays features a distinctive folded exterior that is clad in Corten steel. The dwelling is part of a group of buildings on the property that include a homestead, another short-term rental and agricultural outbuildings.
Designed by multi-disciplinary Melbourne firm Robert Nichol & sons, the house was dubbed Oikos (meaning “home” in Ancient Greek) thanks to its owner’s Greek heritage.
The shape of the building in part is about framing views of the surrounds, while also offering privacy from the nearby homestead.
A long masonry wall, made of dark bricks, creates an anchoring device that grounds the folded form and, alongside a leafy eucalyptus tree, complements the hard exterior of the architecture.
“The shape evolved from the floorplan and the idea of a folded form rather than a typical wall/roof structure so the external material wraps up and over,” explains Brett Robertson. “The client really wanted a building that was distinctive in form and sympathetic to the landscape.”
Corten steel was chosen for the exterior for its ability to change and evolve with the landscape. This material wraps exterior walls and the roof, which is broken into two forms, creating multiple ridges and a valley, much like the distant hills of the surrounding landscape.
“We decided the material for all facets would be the same, as opposed to separate wall and roof finishes, so that the dwelling took on an object quality, like a folded piece of sculpture,” says Robertson.
Inside, the layout is simple and tight, covering only 70 square metres, with finishes a mix of Mafi Oak flooring, plasterwalls and plywood ceilings. Dark colours and furnishings create a sense of seclusion and privacy.
