Scarborough Béton Brut: a dramatic in-situ concrete house

Stunning landscapes often demand equally powerful and sculptural designs. A durable and aesthetically striking material, concrete can take these architectural designs to the next level – particularly when coloured.

With the ability to be used in many different ways to be sculptural and textural, concrete isn’t to be underestimated as a building material.

PeterFell regional manager Paul Dwight says that when it comes to colour in concrete, more creativity is being seen across Aotearoa: “As we advance with concrete, formworks, and in situ – all creating a wide variety of options; I don't see concrete ever going away.”

This innovation in concrete is on display in the design of a home perched on the hills above Christchurch’s seaside suburb of Sumner.

Emerging from the landscape in cubed sections, designed by Young Architects, its profile faces north-west with breathtaking views across the Pacific Ocean, returning along the Southern Alps over Christchurch city.

Though, its position on the edge of a dormant volcano on a 30 degree slope meant it needed to be low maintenance.

“The clients had only ever lived in the city and understood the complications of maintaining a house on a site that's as tricky as this one,” explains Young Architects’ Greg Young. Answering to this need for durability is equally dramatic and undemanding in-situ Béton Brut (French for raw concrete).

“We used it because it’s strong, beautiful, and resilient. It offers flexibility, and it also offers the ability to keep the structure efficient,” shares Greg.

Inside, the polished concrete floor has been coloured with a PeterFell oxide from the charcoal colour range – colour 699 SuperBlack. A contrast to the lighter in-situ facade, the dark concrete captures the warmth of the afternoon sun, offering thermal mass properties to the home.

“It also helps to soften the brightness of the expansive glass,” explains Greg.

“We used the same colour in different areas of the home with different sealers on it so that we could accent the different elements that were used in different ways. A gloss sealer on the floor helps with reflection of the light coming in, while different levels of gloss were used on fireplace hearths and stair treads.”

The PeterFell C2 Polished Concrete System – involving the use of lithium-based densifiers – was applied to the living areas during the grinding and polishing process. The unique liquid hardener penetrates deep into the pores of the concrete making it harder for water, oil, and other contaminants to get in.

A special microfilm provides the finishing touch, creating a protective coating that melts into the concrete for increased stain resistance. By improving the durability of the concrete, PeterFell C2 Polished Concrete System helped Young Architects to create a low-maintenance home for the clients.

The colour also contributes to the monochromatic palette of the home, allowing the stunning outlook to be the focal point – the same rich hue is carried through the stair treads and the hearth mantlepiece of the outdoor fire.

“From a coloured oxide perspective, the latest colour trends have been your white, neutrals, and always consistent the charcoal range. Designers have freedom with our extensive colour selection,” says PeterFell regional manager Paul Dwight.

It’s a colour range that enables projects such as Scarborough Béton Brut to come to life – balancing form and function.

Words by Cassie Birrer

Photography by Lightforge Photography