When I was talking about corten being one of my favourite building materials the other day, it reminded me of this stunning slice of Australian architecture that was featured on Australian Grand Designs, Callignee II. The manifestation of Chris Clarke's determination to never again experience the loss of his home to bushfire.
It is the reincarnation of Callignee I which was burnt to the ground only six days after it was completed, during the devastating Black Saturday bush fires that raged through Victoria in 2009. As a result of his loss, this home was built by Chris to be bullet (and fire) proof.
Apart from admiring his determination and amazing achievement, I particularly love the aesthetic of this country home, and of course, the material palette. Steel, concrete and recycled timbers. It seriously does not get much better.
One of my favourite details is that island bench. The bench is part of the remains from Callignee I. Built of mitred steel "I" beam and poured concrete, it is a beguilingly simple, but a stunning construction.
Images from home beautiful