Off-grid alpine retreat completed in the Howqua Valley

Australian studio Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors has completed Howqua River Lodge, an off-grid residence in Victoria’s alpine region that draws deeply on its landscape through materiality, form and environmental performance.

Located in the Howqua Valley, the home was designed for the family of the studio’s founder, Rob Mills, on land originally purchased by his father, a former employee of the Howqua Valley Forest Commission.

GALLERY  

The project responds to both personal history and the rugged alpine setting, resulting in a residence that is at once grounded and expressive.

The house is organised as three parallel pavilions that step down the site, connected by glazed corridors and a continuous external terrace. Constructed from pale, rough-rendered brickwork and topped with sloping metal roofs punctuated by angular chimneys, the built form references the vernacular language of alpine architecture while introducing a refined contemporary edge.

Internally, the home is defined by a rich application of spotted gum timber, which wraps walls and ceilings in the primary living spaces. Sourced in response to the surrounding forests, the timber creates a warm, immersive environment that reinforces a strong connection to place. Mills described the approach as both considered and expressive, balancing restraint with moments of material play.

The northern pavilion is dedicated to open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas, enclosed by expansive glazing that frames views across the valley. To the south, two additional volumes accommodate bedrooms and a rumpus room, each opening onto smaller, private outdoor areas. Clerestory windows sit beneath the sloping roofs, drawing natural light deep into the interiors and into more intimate spaces including bathrooms, which are finished in soft plaster tones and marble.

Outdoor amenity is equally considered, with a circular stone terrace to the east incorporating a fire pit, plunge pool and daybeds. A sauna and cold plunge are positioned adjacent to the bedroom wing, reinforcing the home’s retreat-like quality.

Designed to operate independently of services, the lodge is powered by a rooftop solar array, supported by rainwater collection and a closed-loop wastewater system. Bushfire resilience has also been integrated through dedicated water storage and a bunker.

Howqua River Lodge demonstrates a nuanced approach to off-grid living, where architecture, landscape and materiality are tightly aligned.

Images courtesy of Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors via Dezeen

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