The brainchild of owners Adrian and Megan Corrigall and RAW Architecture Workshop, Concrete House is a stylish, brutalist family home that balances rich textures at a domestic scale. Completed in early 2019, the ambition of the project was to create a minimalist dwelling 'that retained honesty and simplicity in both material use and in how its occupants use its spaces’ explains Adrian Corrigall.
Nestled in rich architectural gardens Lewes, East Sussex, the scheme feels both solid and dramatic with its large openings, sleek furniture, and strategic surfaces. The building is made up of a series of five stepped blocks that house four bedrooms. The home is ‘just the right size for our family. No more. No less’ says Corrigall. Boasting floor-to-ceiling height windows, skylights and clean lofty rooms the dwelling employs level changes to draw visitors through its spaces. ‘We wanted to move away from open light-filled spaces and create intimate and unique zones’ explains Corrigall.
This 260sqm home is the world’s first building constructed using advanced Fibre Reinforced Concrete, a durable anti-cracking material developed by Cemex that doesn’t require reinforced metal bars. ‘People’s perception of concrete as cold and damp can be so far from reality. The thermal performance is a great joy. We have only turned our heating on once and that was just to test it.’ This raw and robust concrete is complemented by crisp plywood cabinetry and rich vibrant furniture that act as colour accents throughout the minimalist home.
The Corrigall family had originally approached Graeme Laughlan and David Mulligan at RAW Architecture Workshop having seen their previous work at Camusdarach Sands. ‘From our first meeting, it was clear they understood our need to collaborate strongly on this project and to avoid the dictatorial nature of so many client/architect relationships. A shared love of the work of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia also informed many of our later design decisions’ explains Corrigall.
‘The desire to create a family home from the ground up has always been an ambition. Less show home and more family home. We were determined to prove good design need not be exclusive as it is so often portrayed.’
INFORMATION
-
Veronica Ditting’s collection of tiny tomes is a big draw at London's TenderbooksAt London bookshop Tenderbooks, 'Small Print' is an exhibition by creative director Veronica Ditting that explores and celebrates the appeal of books that fit in the palm of your hand
-
How Beirut's emerging designers tell a story of resilience in creativityThe second in our Design Cities series, Beirut is a model of resourcefulness and adaptability: we look at how the layered history of the city is reflected in its designers' output
-
A day in Ahmedabad – tour the Indian city’s captivating architectureIndia’s Ahmedabad has a thriving architecture scene and a rich legacy; architect, writer and photographer Nipun Prabhakar shares his tips for the perfect tour
-
Arbour House is a north London home that lies low but punches highArbour House by Andrei Saltykov is a low-lying Crouch End home with a striking roof structure that sets it apart
-
A former agricultural building is transformed into a minimal rural home by Bindloss DawesZero-carbon design meets adaptive re-use in the Tractor Shed, a stripped-back house in a country village by Somerset architects Bindloss Dawes
-
RIBA House of the Year 2025 is a ‘rare mixture of sensitivity and boldness’Topping the list of seven shortlisted homes, Izat Arundell’s Hebridean self-build – named Caochan na Creige – is announced as the RIBA House of the Year 2025
-
In South Wales, a remote coastal farmhouse flaunts its modern revamp, primed for hostingA farmhouse perched on the Gower Peninsula, Delfyd Farm reveals its ground-floor refresh by architecture studio Rural Office, which created a cosy home with breathtaking views
-
In this Cotswolds home, drama meets minimalismCotswolds home Hiaven house, with interiors designed by McLaren Excell, is a perfect blend of contemporary chic and calm, countryside drama
-
Find solace in the forest at this expansive treehouse retreat in DorsetFor sale for the first time, a treehouse, Mallinson’s Woodland Retreat, is a tribute to the skill of designer and master craftsman Guy Mallinson
-
100 George Street is the new kid on the block in fashionable MaryleboneLondon's newest luxury apartment building brings together a sensitive exterior and thoughtful, 21st-century interiors
-
Take a tour of Retrofit House, the live showcase inspiring sustainable homebuildingRetrofit House, a showcase for residential redesign using biomaterials and environmentally smart methods, opens in Birmingham, UK, spearheaded by Civic Square, Dark Matter Labs and Material Cultures; we paid it a visit
