In an interview with est, Architects EAT co-director Albert Mo reflected on concrete being one of his favourite materials to work with. “The art of using concrete to create architecture requires technology, engineering and craftsmanship to work together simultaneously,” he said. “It is timeless and robust – after all, this is what created the Roman Empire.” We’ve showcased several homes on estliving.com and in the pages of est magazine that hero this ancient material, with five standout examples making their way into this lineup.

Architect Bram Van’s Antwerp Home

Studio Okami

Studio Okami’s founding partner Bram Van Cauter took est through his renovated Brutalist-style apartment in Antwerp, Belgium.

The architect stripped back the five-bedroom, two-storey interior to create a breathy, single-bedroom loft connected by a striking blue staircase. His playful approach to colour, texture and scale saw the concrete-clad interior transform into a gallery-like space for him and his small family. “The Brutalist character of the building is very strong, and the spaces are so well designed. Being 50 years old, the building has its flaws and quirks, but I strongly believe that good design has the capacity to be appreciated for generations to come,” Bram says.

Mt Coot-tha

Nielsen Jenkins

Nielsen Jenkins founder and architect Morgan Jenkins was approached by his sister to design a family home that was deeply immersed in the surrounding native flora of Brisbane’s Mt Coot-ha.

The design team have explored themes of connection and refuge with a robust and raw material palette, including concrete, extruded mesh and steel. Inside, the exposed concrete blocks are offset by soft fabrics and leather furniture to invoke comfort and warmth.

A central courtyard runs adjacent to the living area, creating a space for daily rituals to be enjoyed from interior to exterior. The outdoor spaces act as bubbles of nature – shielded behind concrete blocks. The robust walls add a layer of protection without obscuring the view.

Bellows House

Architects EAT

Architects EAT established a family sanctuary in the heart of Flinders, Victoria, marked by the imaginative use of internal and external concrete.

The home features a series of tiered, concrete-clad skylights that resemble the pleated sides of an old ‘Bellows Camera’. Like a camera, the skylights draw light deep into the home, altering the colour of the concrete walls over the course of the day. “The heaviness of the skylights’ internal structures makes their minimal exteriors feel like eggshells in comparison,” Architects EAT co-director Albert Mo says.

Architects EAT are known for evoking curiosity and engagement through their expressive street vistas. On the outside, Bellows House is an obscure expression of bleached concrete and pyramid-like roofs, capturing the attention of passers-by.