Derek Swalwell

Photographer

This house is built on the principle of permanence—crafted from concrete, it stands as a structure that stands the test of time, yet it is alive with the pulse of daily life. It is a place where the raw power of material meets the warmth of human connection, where strength and intimacy coexist.

Our first private residence, the design began with intuition, an enquiry into the clients’ story and weaving it into every detail.

The heart of the home is the family room, where a generous island bench—the “everything table”—that serves as both anchor and gathering point. Casual meals, afternoon teas, late-night drinks, or homework sessions, this table is the centre of life, endlessly versatile, always in use. The space flows between zones, allowing for moments of togetherness, privacy, and aspect to the garden.

We perceive architecture as a physical object, yet remember architecture as an experience. Often, the greater the experience, the more memorable it is.

It is in this interaction between form and feeling that we find our human connection to both the interior and the exterior.

The material of the home—an in-situ concrete—creates a foundation that feels as lasting as it is intimate. Its raw, weighty presence is softened by neutral tones within, introducing a subtle femininity that tempers the boldness of the architecture.
The house retains its Victorian façade, preserving the charm of its street presence while remaining unassuming of what lies inside. The new addition flows organically with the landscape and the character of the existing home, its modern design responding thoughtfully to the natural slope of the land. Expansive and open, the living room connects directly to the garden, framing views of sky and water, bringing the outside in with every shift of light.

Concrete—often regarded as harsh and unyielding—takes on a lighter quality in this project, its weight softened through thoughtful detailing, hidden engineering, and a careful balance of space and form. It forms a lasting foundation for both the structure and the life lived within it.

Permanence — Melbourne, Australia — 2019

A home that returns to the essence of childhood memory.

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