Summit House
Set in the snowy heart of Mount Buller, Summit House is an alpine retreat designed for outdoor lovers. Styled by Brahman Perera and crafted by Cera Stribley and Hecker Guthrie, the home supports long ski days with a comforting palette of materials that feels like an embrace against the cold.
The layout is tuned for peak winter living – spaces for relaxing, reading and watching the mountain shift, alongside generous lounge seating for easy hosting. Much of the design centres on recovery and connection: not just a base for activity, notes Perera, but a counterbalance to it.
The floor plan can be thought of as zones rather than rigid, single-purpose rooms. Kitchen, dining and living areas form an open, connected social core, while built-ins, window seats and cosy corners invite moments of rest without breaking away from the shared space. A bunk room designed for all ages reinforces the home’s flexible, seasonal use. Overall, the plan prioritises a continuum from social to private, rather than a formal-versus-informal divide.
The material palette is designed to soften the home’s contemporary lines and counter the chill of its snow-blanketed setting. Timber acts as a warm base layer, tempering the concrete and stone. From there, Perera introduced tactile elements like sheepskin, leather, embroidery and Kilim rugs. These durable choices add depth and earthiness to a thoughtfully executed family home.
Here, colour is restrained yet rich. There are moments of ochre, rust, olive and plum, while diffused lighting further adds to the intimate spaces. Textiles were a jumping-off point, chosen not just for the way each fabric looks but the way it behaves – how it catches the light, drapes and wears over time. The architectural envelope is modern, yet each element within is deeply comfortable.
The interiors complement the residence’s framework without competing with it, and each choice was made to handle wet gear, boots, high traffic and seasonal extremes, with intentional programming, scale and circulation also in mind. As with any mountain home, it came with its own unique challenges, but Perera saw these as a guide rather than a setback, bringing clarity to every style decision. The approach also sought to avoid cliché without losing the emotional comfort people seek in a mountain refuge.
There’s a Poltrona Frau Albero bookcase – a key piece in the project – that offsets the structural column in the living area, inviting rhythm and movement. There’s a quiet choreography to the rooms, creating a layered dialogue throughout.
In this alpine home, the interiors strike a careful balance between specific references and familiarity: grounded enough to feel instantly welcoming, yet distinct enough to be memorable.
Architecture by Cera Stribley. Interior design by Hecker Guthrie.
