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Cohesion Through Contrast – Concrete House by Seamus Ryan
To suit a residential setting, a concrete home requires a sense of softening contrast. With rich tones and natural vibrancy, natural timber can lend just the right amount of pop against the brutalist grit of a robust home such as Seamus Ryan’s Concrete House, bringing it into the zone of family friendly comfort.
There is no mistaking the primary ingredient in the palette of this beachside home in Perth, with the building’s off-form concrete structure left exposed for most of its cladding and interior linings. To counter the cool colourways of the concrete and soften the striking, modern lines, architect Seamus Ryan along with owner and builder Carley Jane chose to use Mortlock Timber Shou Sugi Ban Burnt Ash and Mortlock Tasmanian Oak both externally and internally. “The brief was for a contemporary home designed with passive house principles in mind, minimal where possible,” says the architect. “The chosen materials of natural stone, off-form concrete, charred timber, oak batten ceilings and dark tile create natural textures yet a bold contrast. The interiors follow a similar approach, however, softening through the living spaces.”
Mortlock Timber Proplank Click in Tasmanian Oak provides a rich, natural texture overhead in the courtyard space, where it is used for the ceiling and soffits.
Mortlock Timber Proplank Click in Tasmanian Oak provides a rich, natural texture overhead in the courtyard space, where it is used for the ceiling and soffits. As outdoor spaces are well used in this warm climate, it was important they be designed to the same level of finish as interior rooms, making these natural timber elements an appropriate addition. As a sustainable material choice, timber aligns with the landscaped succulent gardens planted throughout the home’s outdoor spaces.
The oak also carries through to the indoors, featured in an elliptical cut-out in the ceiling of the dining area that mirrors the form and materiality of the dining table. In this space, the rough elegance of a stone wall complements the dappled grey polished concrete floor and the golden hues of the timber – all referencing different elements of the natural environment. “The ceiling opening over the dining table was introduced as an artistic addition, floating within the clean line perimeter of the ceiling,” says Seamus. “The organic opening paired with mood lighting highlights the opening to create a custom dining space, adding definition and a luxurious feel.”
In the adjacent living room, a concrete backdrop is enriched by a Mortlock Timber Shou Sugi Ban Burnt Ash fireplace surround, which lends a contemporary design style to this laid-back space and echoes the cladding seen outdoors. The ancient Japanese art of charring timber is not only a beautiful choice aesthetically but also provides exceptional protection for the wood, leaving it sealed and resistant to weathering and heat without the need for chemical treatments. Traveling downstairs to the basement bar, further Mortlock Proplank Click boards in Tasmanian Oak frame the ceiling and adorn the bar front, lending a rough sense of radiance that is conducive to letting loose and enjoying social events with friends and family.
Sustainability in architecture is about creating structures that are long-lasting, a feat achieved through quality finishes and sturdy foundations as well as these naturally durable materials. For this home that is close to the sea with beautifully landscaped gardens, the relationship between the built and natural environment is celebrated through the use of the sustainably sourced Mortlock natural timber features, which, alongside the concrete, lend organic texture, warmth and richness.
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