Tucked into a bushy pocket of Melbourne, Australia, BENT Architecture designed a split-level home that responds directly to its surroundings. Rather than competing with the landscape, the house works with it, using locally-sourced Ironbark and innovative Timbercrete blockwork to create a structure that feels both grounded and resilient.
Set among dense greenery, the location brought with it a serious design consideration. The home sits in a bushfire-prone area classified with a BAL-29 rating, meaning the architects had to carefully navigate strict building regulations. Every material choice mattered, and safety became just as important as style.
To meet the BAL-29 requirements, the house is built on a solid podium of concrete and Timbercrete blockwork. Ironbark was selected for its natural fire-resistant qualities, making it a practical and durable choice for external cladding.
Timbercrete itself plays a starring role. The lightweight, sustainable building block is fabricated with waste timber content, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional masonry. By reusing timber by-products, the material reduces waste while delivering structural strength. It is a subtle but powerful example of how sustainability can be embedded directly into the bones of a building.
Concrete and blockwork provide more than just fire protection. Their solidity and thermal mass help maintain an even internal temperature throughout the year. This enhances the effectiveness of the passive solar design, allowing the home to naturally regulate warmth and coolness depending on the season. In a climate where conditions can shift quickly, that balance makes all the difference.
Inside, the Timbercrete blockwork continues, visually connecting the exterior and interior. It complements polished aggregate concrete floors and local hardwood, creating a palette that feels warm yet robust. There is a tactile honesty to the materials, each surface reinforcing the idea that this is a house designed to last.
Take a closer look and the material story becomes even clearer. The texture of the Timbercrete blocks and the rich tones of the Ironbark reveal the craftsmanship behind the construction. Together, they shape a home that is as practical as it is beautiful, showing that thoughtful material choices can define not just how a house looks, but how it lives among the trees.
In a bushland setting where regulations are strict and the environment demands respect, this split-level Melbourne home shows how safety, sustainability and strong design can work hand in hand.