Roscommon House - Western Australia

The rich tones of Vulcan timber make the Roscommon House an inspirational example of timber integration and versatility.

Project details

Architect: Neil Cownie Architect

Builder: Mosman Bay Construction

Product: Vulcan Panelling (132x16) in Intergrain Ultraclear Exterior Satin

Timber distributor: Austim

Photography credit: Robert Frith and Michael Nicholson

Location: Western Australia

The Roscommon House is constructed primarily from concrete, with a large amount continuing from the outside-in and featuring in the house’s interior design.

Despite appearing as a concrete building from the outside, the interiors are remarkably warm, a result achieved through the extensive use of timber.

This project is a demonstration of how versatile timber is in the different forms it has been used.

The textures and colours can be paired with opposing materials (in this case; concrete, brass and stone), to produce a much richer environment and harmony through the intricacy of detailing.

Vulcan timber was selected for its beautiful, consistent colour tones.

Materials to last many generations

The Roscommon House is designed and built to last many generations, and as such needed conviction in the material selection, both from a structural and moral standpoint.

The selection of long-lasting, low maintenance materials contributes thermal mass, maintaining stable internal temperatures regardless of the season. Insulation– both thermal and acoustic– adds to indoor comfort throughout the year.

Inspirational design

Walls and ceilings have been designed as a series of unadulterated planes and blocks of interlocking sculptural shapes, further emphasised through services and lighting being generally discreet or even hidden.

The timber cabinetwork and timber clad wall elements read as one to simplify the visual reading of spaces. The fluid kitchen island bench with the hovering stone top reflects the local iconic beachside concrete kiosk building saved by the community.

Sustainably sourced timber

Timber in the project was sourced from certified plantations. Approximately 40% of the timber in the project was Vulcan scotia or boards and is produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Certified Forests.

Roscommon House Vulcan Cladding Abodo Wood 1

Roscommon House Vulcan Cladding Abodo Wood 2

A cosy timber reading room

The Reading Room in Roscommon House is an intimate space. There is no exposed concrete like elsewhere in the house, and a combination of timber and colour has been used to create a cosy environment.

All walls except one are clad in Vulcan timber scotia battens and are broken up by recessed display and book shelving.

Roscommon House Vulcan Cladding Abodo Wood 5

Timber kitchen genius

The kitchen of Roscommon House features extensive amounts of timber and marble surfaces, balancing hard and soft materials. The texture of the marble within the smooth surfaces contrasts with that created by the profile of the Vulcan timber scotia battens.

The battens are a thermally modified product originally from plantation Pine. The consistency offered by this process meant that nothing detracted from the texture created by the batten profile. The battens have also been integrated into the fridge/ freezer doors and the cavity sliding door to the pantry.

Utilising the individual unit of the scotia batten the sculptural form of the island bench has been clad, relating the external roof forms of the building whilst continuing to add warmth to the interiors.