A House Made From Board Formed Concrete Was Requested By This Architect’s Clients

December 16, 2021
A modern house made from board-formed concrete includes brass and wood accents.

Architecture and interior design firm Neil Cownie Architect, has completed a modern home in Perth, Australia, for their clients that have a love of modernism and concrete.

The clients wanted a family home that respected and drew on the modernist history of the area, and they had a passion for a house constructed from grey timber board finished concrete.

Through investigation, the architects sourced a suitable timber board and sandblasted the surface of the timber to expose the grain. This timber then formed the mould into which the concrete was poured. The end result is a textured timber grain finish to the concrete.

Let’s take a look around the outside of the home…

The Exterior

The two-story house deliberately presents to the street looking like a single-level house, with the board-formed concrete immediately visible on the exterior. The horizontal concrete roof appears to hover above the house, while solar panels are completely hidden from view.

This modern two story house deliberately presents to the street looking like a single level house, with the board formed concrete immediately visible on the exterior.
Photography by Michael Nicholson (top photo) and Robert Frith (bottom photo)

The house was designed on the principles of passive solar design to allow the warming winter sun to penetrate the living areas and outside courtyards.

This modern house was designed on the principals of passive solar design to allow the warming winter sun to penetrate the living areas and outside courtyards.
Photography by Robert Frith

The Outdoor Spaces

The house opens to allow the cooling summer breezes to flow throughout the home. The outdoor spaces include a patio with an outdoor dining area, yard, and swimming pool.

A modern house with a patio designed for outdoor eating.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

Stairs lead to the rooftop deck with curved forms complementing the landscaping.

A modern rooftop deck with organically shaped planters that match the roof.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

The organic shaped swimming pool is matched by the organic shape of the roof that provides shade to poolside furniture. Deep window recesses protect the window through the provision of shade and double as a place to sit.

The organic shaped swimming pool of this modern home, is matched by the organic shape of the roof that provides shade to poolside furniture.
Photography by Robert Frith
A modern patio with blue tiles and a pink couch.
Photography by Jack Lovel
A modern house board formed concrete walls and an organically shaped yard that provides access to a swimming pool.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

Now that we’ve had a look around outside, let’s head inside…

The Front Door And Entryway

The timber and brass clad pivoting front door has a custom-designed brass door handle.

This The timber and brass clad pivoting front door has a custom designed brass door handle.
Photography by Robert Frith

The Hallway

The board-formed concrete walls and ceiling are very visible in the hallway, where a timber and brass clad sliding door is concealed within the wall when open. A glass roof connects visitors with the sky on entry to the house.

A modern home with wood and brass detailing and board-formed concrete walls.
Photography by Jack Lovel
A modern home with wood and brass detailing and board-formed concrete walls.
Photography by Michael Nicholson
A modern home with wood detailing and board-formed concrete walls.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

The Living Rooms

The home has multiple living rooms, with the first showcasing a custom-designed rug, colorful windows, and a large sofa.

A modern living room showcasing a custom designed rug, colorful windows, and a large sofa.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

The secondary living room provides direct access to the covered outdoor area and features a wood ceiling.

A modern living room with a fireplace that provides direct access to the covered outdoor area, and features a wood ceiling and board-formed concrete walls.
Photography by Jack Lovel

The Dining Room

The textured concrete walls continue to be visible in the dining room, that’s been furnished with a wood table, dining chairs with blue accents, and three white pendant lamps.

Textured concrete walls are visible in this modern dining room, that's been furnished with a wood table, dining chairs with blue accents, and three white pendant lamps.
Photography by Robert Frith
A modern home with board-formed concrete walls.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

The Kitchen

The kitchen, which sits at the center of the house with access directly to outside dining and the family room, has an island with a solid marble slab countertop and organically shaped timber cabinetwork. Timber ceilings conceal acoustic insulation.

This modern kitchen has an island with a solid marble slab countertop and organically shaped timber cabinetwork. Timber ceilings conceal acoustic insulation.
Photography by Michael Nicholson
This modern kitchen has an island with a solid marble slab countertop and organically shaped timber cabinetwork. Timber ceilings conceal acoustic insulation.
Photography by Robert Frith

The Stairs

Wood stairs connect the main level of the home with the upper level. The stair balustrade is constructed from mild steel and brass, complementing the other brass elements found throughout the home.

A modern home with wood stairs that showcase a brass handrail and board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Michael Nicholson
A modern home with wood stairs that showcase a brass handrail and board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Robert Frith

The concrete ceiling over the stair void has been designed with impressions representing the interlocking swamp lands of the area in which the house is located. Custom-designed mild steel and brass pendant lights relate to the ceiling impressions as they are suspended within the void space.

The concrete ceiling over the stair void in this modern home, has been designed with impressions representing the interlocking swamp lands of the area in which the house is located.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

A secondary staircase leads to the lower level where the garage can be found.

A modern home with stairs that showcase wood detailing, a brass handrail, and board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Robert Frith

The Bedroom

In the bedroom, a built-in bench lines the wall, while shelving has been built into the concrete wall. Clerestory windows add natural light, and the board-formed concrete wall can be clearly seen as a backdrop for the bed and headboard.

A modern master bedroom with a built-in bench, and board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Jack Lovel
A modern master bedroom with built-in shelving.
Photography by Jack Lovel
A modern bedroom with board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Michael Nicholson
A modern bedroom with board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Michael Nicholson
A modern bedroom with board formed concrete walls.
Photography by Robert Frith

The Bathroom

The master en-suite bathroom finishes carry through from the rest of the house to provide a sense of warmth to the bathroom, while the mirrors open to reveal shelving.

This modern master en-suite bathroom features wood to provide a sense of warmth to the space, while the mirrors open to reveal shelving.
Photography by Michael Nicholson

You can see more details of the house by watching the short video below.