Rob Mills
Nestled in the valley of Howqua Hills, Howqua River Lodge celebrates the joy of off-grid living. Rob Mills Architects crafts the sustainable home to honour a connection to the valley and inspire the family to embrace slow living.
The site of Howqua River Lodge was chosen partly for its remoteness – which brings nature to the forefront – and partly for its tie to Rob Mills, owner of the lodge and founder of Rob Mills Architects. “My father, who worked for the Forestry Commission, walked through the mountains measuring the available timber,” he says. “Each place I go to reminds me of an experience we’ve had over the years and these are good memories, really good memories.” The house accentuates the sweeping landscape by appearing small and discreet; when viewed from afar, only one of its three pavilions is visible as the others are tucked behind the first. In addition, bright colours are intentionally omitted from the facade, allowing the structure to harmonise with the natural surroundings.
In the first pavilion, the entrance is intuitively positioned to lead residents directly into the kitchen. “For me, the kitchen – where you eat and where you live and where you read – is the place that you want to arrive at first, not a formal entrance,” says Mills. “Then there’s a solid wall. To find that balance between wall and window is really important because it’s walls that cocoon us.” While the wall preserves the intimacy of the kitchen and living room, large-scale glazing enables panoramic views of the landscape. In the second pavilion, the experience of enclosure and openness is repeated in two tranquil bedrooms. The space between the rooms contains two bathrooms, each featuring a different stone, as well as a bunk room with single beds and a vertical divider. Along with two bedrooms, a secondary living space fills the final pavilion.
Taking a bold approach to materiality, Rob Mills Architects uses spotted gum interior cladding instead of the familiar blackbutt timber. “[The spotted gum] has this rich red colour, which I was concerned would dominate your experience within,” says Mills. “It’s so strong, but it works; it’s wonderful to live with. Its strength is the reason it’s wonderful to live with.” Complementing the natural materials are other features that enhance the home’s sustainability, including solar panels atop each pavilion. The panels generate renewable energy not only for heating and cooling the house but also for powering a range of amenities. “We’re completely self-sufficient, yet we’ve got all these luxuries that you would find in the best city residences,” notes Mills. “They’re here: an ice tub, a sauna, a heated pool and all of these things we love.”
Inspired by happy childhood memories, Howqua River Lodge offers a calming place from which to explore the landscape. With a considered residential design, Rob Mills Architects fosters an authentic wilderness experience that builds the family’s confidence in living off-grid.
Architecture and interior design by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors.
