Within Retreat by Solid Foundations Concreting

Within Retreat by Solid Foundation Concreting explores the potential of concrete as both a functional and artistic medium. The home exemplifies how materiality can shape not only the aesthetics but also the overall experience of a space.

Located in Hepburn, the project has a simple design philosophy; it’s anchored in the use of in-situ concrete and driven by an overarching understanding of the material and its inherent strength and ability to form spaces. Featuring consistently internally and externally, almost all aspects of the material are explored. Through polished concrete floors, off-form concrete walls and exposed concrete soffits, the team wraps the space in subtle movement and pattern. This intentional choice creates a cohesive narrative, highlighting the raw beauty of the material while including select other finishes to complement the composition.

Through polished concrete floors, off-form concrete walls or exposed concrete soffits, the team wraps the space in subtle movement and pattern.

The retreat is designed not just as a structure but as an experience. It follows the slope of the site, strongly embedding into the earth and allowing the lowest floor to emerge from the landscape itself. Monolithic steps greet arrivals, guiding movement up to an imposing timber-clad entry door framed by two curved walls. The immediate surrounds have also been landscaped, with concrete-formed terraced gardens sculpting the site and directing water run off towards the dam.

Oversized columns and beams serve both structural and aesthetic purposes, enhancing the sense of grandeur while providing support. Externally, embellishment is stripped, allowing the warmth of sparsely used timber to shine against the refined palette. Internally, stainless-steel benchtops provide a sleek contrast to textured surfaces. Ceilings are typically unadorned, with services carefully considered, quietly highlighting the technicality of a construction methodology such as this. A stand-out dining table, crafted with a round terrazzo top by Mortadello and a striking base by Ross Didier, sits proudly beneath the large ocular skylight, inviting natural light to dance across its surface. Wet areas are deliberately calm in tone, keeping with the unfussy nature of the design. The resultant spaces are refreshing simple, again allowing concrete elements to take centrestage.

Oversized columns and beams serve both structural and aesthetic purposes, enhancing the sense of grandeur while providing support for the structure itself.

Within Retreat highlights the synergy between materiality and context. Through focusing on a single material and exploring its many facets, Solid Foundation Concreting has crafted a retreat that invites guests to appreciate the beauty of concrete in all its forms.

Building design and concreting by Solid Foundation Concreting. Interior design by SE/AM Architecture & Design. Build by Solid Foundation Concreting and Hardwick Build Co. Landscape design by Daylesford Landscaping.