Passive-design concrete sanctuary on Victoria’s coast

Perched on Victoria’s Surf Coast, the Torquay Concrete House by Auhaus Architecture is more than a bold coastal build - it’s a passive design concrete sanctuary that reflects both the homeowner’s profession and their passion for durable, low-maintenance design.

As the owner of a concrete business, the client’s material choice may not come as a surprise. Yet concrete remains a divisive material when it comes to sustainability credentials. Critics point to its high embodied carbon, while advocates highlight its remarkable longevity, resilience, and thermal mass. This project demonstrates how, in the right context and with careful design, concrete can play a valuable role in creating an energy-efficient and enduring home.

From the street, the home reads as sculptural and private. Solid concrete walls buffer against harsh coastal winds while also delivering impressive thermal performance. Acting as thermal mass, the concrete absorbs heat during the day and slowly releases it in the evening – passively regulating indoor temperatures and reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.

Sustainability Specs

Passive design concrete sanctuary
High level of hermal mass from the concrete
Timber framed, low-E windows
Deep eaves
Cross ventilation
Rooftop garden provides insulation
Insulated hydronic infill slab
10,000 litre underground rainwater tank irrigates the roofgarden and main courtyard
Robust and low maintenance materials with minimal applied finishes
Cabinetry from cedar and Paperock

Inside, Auhaus Architecture have balanced the concrete with the warmth of timber joinery and natural textures, ensuring the interior feels calm and inviting rather than austere. Every detail has been considered to create a home that is tactile, timeless, and easy to live in.

A rooftop garden crowns the design, softening the bold concrete form while also insulating the home and reconnecting its inhabitants with greenery. This thoughtful layer of planting not only enhances comfort but also reinforces the house’s role as a tranquil coastal retreat.

The Torquay Concrete House highlights an important truth in sustainable design: materials are rarely black and white. While concrete has its environmental challenges, here it has been harnessed intelligently to deliver durability, thermal stability, and a sense of sanctuary. For homeowners navigating their own design choices, this project illustrates how sustainability can mean balancing performance, context, and beauty.

Want to read about more sustainable projects? Take a look our collection of sustainable homes here.

FROM THE ARCHITECT

Auhaus Architects

Tightly hemmed in by suburban houses but backing onto wetlands and golf course, the house is treated as a walled sanctuary, opening up into itself, an internalised habitat with locally planted roof gardens and curated glimpses onto the wetlands.