{"id":10982,"date":"2025-11-30T13:52:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-30T13:52:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rutha.org\/index.php\/2025\/11\/30\/rob-mills-architecture-interiors-nestles-off-grid-home-in-australias-victorian-alps\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T13:52:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T13:52:04","slug":"rob-mills-architecture-interiors-nestles-off-grid-home-in-australias-victorian-alps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rutha.org\/index.php\/2025\/11\/30\/rob-mills-architecture-interiors-nestles-off-grid-home-in-australias-victorian-alps\/","title":{"rendered":"Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors nestles off-grid home in Australia’s Victorian Alps"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Howqua<\/div>\n

Australian studio Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors has completed Howqua River Lodge, a house<\/a> in the Victorian Alps that functions off-grid<\/a> and has interiors wrapped in spotted gum timber.<\/span><\/p>\n

Located in the Howqua Valley, the home was designed for the family of the studio’s founder, Rob Mills, whose father worked for the Howqua Valley Forest Commission and purchased a plot of land in the area.<\/p>\n

The gum trees native to the surrounding forests informed the most prominent feature of Howqua River Lodge’s material palette, with Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors<\/a> (RMA) enveloping its living spaces entirely in planks of dark spotted gum timber.<\/p>\n

\"Howqua
Howqua River Lodge is an off-grid home designed by Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Howqua River Lodge has been a passion project for many years \u2013 a self-sufficient retreat immersed in the wilds of the Victorian Alps,” Mills told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

“This place, deeply connected to my family for generations, holds great personal significance,” he continued. “The home is a place to holiday, unwind, reconnect, escape and adventure.”<\/p>\n

“The earthy tones, natural textures and restrained forms of the spotted gum timber allow for the surrounding landscape to take centre stage.”<\/p>\n

\"Howqua
The home was designed as three connected pavilions with pale brick walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Howqua River Lodge is organised as three parallel, interconnected pavilions that step down the site, with walls of pale, rough-rendered brickwork and overlapping, sloping metal roofs punctured by angular chimneys.<\/p>\n

According to the studio, the material palette of hardwood timbers, stone, and bagged rendering used throughout was chosen to be sensitive and complementary to the surrounding landscape and vernacular architecture, while bringing joy and playfulness to the interiors.<\/p>\n

\"Howqua
Angular chimneys and sloped metal roofs top the residence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Howqua River Lodge draws on the traditional forms and materials of the region\u2019s alpine architecture, resulting in a timeless design deeply connected to the natural environment and surrounding landscape,” said Mills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“We introduced beautiful stones from around the world, playing with colour, light, and texture. We didn\u2019t hold back \u2013 we allowed ourselves to be expressive and joyful with the material palette. Like telling a good joke, we believe a home should balance seriousness and playfulness,” he continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

“On one hand, building is a deeply thoughtful and considered but on the other, there\u2019s a playful spirit that brings a space to life and is the essence of a good interior.”<\/span><\/p>\n