Concrete Home: Brutalist Beauty

Form-marked raw concrete is a hallmark of New Brutalism, an architectural style that thrived in the 1950s–1970s and strongly influenced the ‘Christchurch School’ through the 1960s. Brutalism, updated for modern living, is now well and truly back in the house in Tai Tapu.
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The owners of this ‘monolithic’ home never intended to build a raw concrete home, but after chancing upon a design online, they met up with Stephen and Juanita Clearwater from Admire Concrete Homes and went ahead after their initial meeting. They had both long admired the ‘70’s look and were suitably impressed by the robust design. Not having much of an idea how it was all going to come together coupled with the fact that, at the time, nothing else had been built like it – they were taking a massive punt.
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Today, they are proud trailblazers for raw concrete and adore their home’s ‘wabi-sabi’ – imperfectly perfect character. In fact they are so happy for Stephen and Juanita to show others their proud home that led to the home being on the 2023 ‘Superhome Bus Tour’.
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People’s assumtions that the concrete dwelling would be cold are proven incorrect, in fact they find the home surprising warm, quiet and inviting.

This is a very strong and solid home, from foundation to roof. More than 520 tonnes of concrete and 18 tonnes of reinforcing went into the construction. The concrete pour was completed in eight stages, starting with the garage and bedroom wing (100-200mm thick walls) and associated outer concrete wall (called  a ‘wythe’, 300-400mm thick). Rigid insulation was placed between the two, creating a thermally efficient sandwich effect. Two different types of concrete were used – one for the walls, the other for the ceilings. 
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All services are internal, with electricity supplied through conduits. A lot of care was taken with planning to ensure wiring, plumbing and fittings would be correct.
A house like this has huge thermal mass properties and is a high performer for energy efficiency. It maintains a stable, comfortable year-round temperature with ease.
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While the geometry of the architecture is solidly rectangular, the home also has a playfully circular theme. A large round hole, moulded into the concrete canopy above the decking outside the kitchen, has been dubbed ‘the circle of life’. It is echoed throughout the home in round planters, circular mirrors and globe light fittings.The colour palette is deliberately neutral so as not to detract ‘from what the house is’.

Two mustard and white retro ‘50’s recliners add a pop of colour – and a Palm Springs vibe – outside the media room (with actual potted plants also contributing to that vibe).
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Flooring is easy-care vinyl planking in the main living space, with rugs and carpets softening selected areas.A floating staircase with dark timber-treads lead up to the main bedroom suite with spacious walk-in robe, a make-up/dressing station and well-appointed bathroom. Off that is a resort-style inclusion in the form of a large double shower room.
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The owners have landscaped to create relaxing outdoor spaces and added artificial turf along the shady side. A water feature came from their previous house and is a ‘restful touch’. 
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(Source: ‘Latitude’ magazine, 2021)

The photos below are a various Admire Concrete Homes. The ‘people’ shots are in the Tai Tapu home during the 2023 Superhome Bus Tour.
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Béton Brut

The “béton brut” (raw concrete) style of architecture is what drives Canterbury-based Admire Concrete Homes to create houses that are “unique hand-made works of art” formed with poured in place concrete.
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They have brought the “béton brut” style of architecture back to life with designs that are bold and artful, with the raw concrete finish inside & out. These dramatic homes are true thermal mass structures formed with poured concrete walls & ceilings, without the use of precast. The finished walls & ceilings in raw formed concrete are organic and real, true and honest to the building material. When the formwork is stripped, the finished concrete is revealed;  being strong, eye-catching and sincere all at the same time.
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Their construction methodology is quite unique, having been developed by the company’s directors Stephen & Juanita Clearwater, from their many years of experience in design & construction. The concrete walls and ceilings (or mid floors) are poured at the same time creating a monolithic structure. This seems quite challenging to the casual observer however this is the “norm” for this small innovative company who provides a design & build service.
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In the back streets of Tai Tapu, there’s one of their concrete homes that’s about 4 years old. The street view is stunning; like a good wine, it’s looking better and better as the years roll by. And another one popped up in Lincoln last year with an orange door and concrete canopies stretching out. Their latest creation can be seen from the road into the Adventure Park, which is near completion as it sits there sprawled out, making a notable statement of its own. When you see an Admire Concrete Home, they evoke a response, an interest, an opinion. They represent work done with extraordinary skill & effort.
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There will always be those who enjoy the environment of the status quo, the normal way of things...  but for those who are inspired to be different, who ignore the status quo, these concrete homes could be for you...

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