{"id":763509,"date":"2026-06-27T10:23:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/763509\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T10:23:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:23:50","slug":"rob-mills-designs-a-self-sufficient-luxury-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/763509\/","title":{"rendered":"Rob Mills Designs a Self-Sufficient Luxury Escape"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there was ever a perfect time to think seriously about sustainable living, it would surely be now. Always a step or two ahead, architect Rob Mills of RMA has put that thought into practice in his recently completed Howqua River Lodge, an off-grid<\/a>, totally self-sufficient luxury retreat<\/a> set on almost seven hectares of pristine land in the Victorian Alps. <\/p>\n

Introduced to the region by his father, who had a share in a fishing hut on the Howqua River, Rob and his six siblings spent idyllic childhood holidays there \u2013 fishing, skiing at nearby Mt Buller, and developing a deep love for the area. \u201cA lot of our happiest memories are the times we spent at the river with our parents and each other,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n

\"AWith its palette of natural and recycled materials, the house nestles snugly into the landscape. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

With his own family of six children, Rob hoped to recreate the same happy memories. Initially, the plan was to build a simple dwelling, but as the years passed, he says, \u201cWe\u2019re older, wiser, with more resources, so it went from a modest fishing hut to a five-bedroom, dual-living, Rob Mills-quality building that my wife, Mikala, and I designed together. I\u2019m really interested in passive solar design, and this was an opportunity to design a building that was completely self-sufficient. There are few of these in Australia, but it\u2019s pertinent given the energy crisis we\u2019ve lived through recently. Self-sufficiency should be at the forefront of all our minds.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"ViewsThe kitchen\/dining area includes a vintage table, chair and platter owned by Rob. Dining table designed by Luigi Rosselli (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

With no available services, including water, sewerage, electricity, gas or mobile phone coverage, it was a challenge to even build the property. The location and distance from the source of labour and materials was another complication. Early in the build, concrete trucks destroyed the road into the property, which had to be remade before the concrete pour could continue. Fortunately, good quality trades and established supply chains in Mansfield, a half-hour drive away, meant the build was completed in 18 months. <\/p>\n

\"AAn artwork by Jahnne Pasco-White from Station Gallery brings soft colour to a bedroom. Society Limonta linen and throw from Ondene. \u2018Nordic\u2019 cushions on window seat from Abode Living. Tacchini \u2018Costela\u2019 chair from Stylecraft. Rug from Halcyon Lake. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

Now the thermally efficient home generates its own electricity, and the occupants harvest their own water and deal with their own waste. It is fully automated with state-of-the-art technology. \u201cIt is wonderful knowing we aren\u2019t reliant on the outside world,\u201d affirms Rob. <\/p>\n

A by-product of this off-grid lifestyle is that it changes the family dynamic and, while there is a television, it\u2019s rarely turned on. \u201cWe play cards and read instead of watching TV and the kids get so much joy from playing cards with each other,\u201d says Rob. \u201cThe interaction between us is stronger and more powerful because of it.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"WideWide eaves shield the home from the weather. \u2018Butterfly\u2019 chairs from Angelucci 20th Century surround an outdoor fire pit. Custom bluestone paving from Gladstones Granite & Marble. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

The three-pavilion house espouses all the principles that Rob champions as an architect. Believing in the importance of fresh air to promote a higher quality of living, he installed a heat exchange system that refreshes the air every hour. Wide eaves shelter the home from sun and rain, and the contrast of open space and intimacy is facilitated by sloping roofs that are tall and lofty in some areas and cosy and enclosing in others. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we have a responsibility as designers to create a living experience for clients that is superior to the norm,\u201d says Rob. This of course brings its own set of challenges when the client is also the architect. \u201cWhen you design for yourself, there are no boundaries, and the greatest threat is that you are judged and there\u2019s nowhere to hide.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"AA bathroom swathed in New York marble with microcement walls. Tapware by Pittella. Jill Symes vessel from Craft Victoria. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

No need to worry, however, as this design is sublime. The house is constructed of bagged brick and timber and sits low on a cleared platform within native landscaping. Generous living spaces are attended by five lavish, well-appointed bedrooms and four marble bathrooms<\/a>, a pool, spa, ice bath and sauna, and an outside living and dining area that revels in the ever-changing view of the spectacular location. <\/p>\n

\"TheIn the main bedroom is more Society Limonta linen. Poltrona Frau \u2018Ming\u2019s Heart\u2019 armchair by Shi-Chieh Lu and \u2018Model 548\u2019 table lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Astep, both from Mobilia. Vintage bench, clients\u2019 own. Artwork by Spencer Lai from Neon Parc. Rug from Halcyon Lake. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

Furniture is simple but luxurious, in natural textiles and earthy shades, carefully collected over the years and mostly brought from Rob\u2019s other houses or storage. \u201cThe way we dress the architecture is as important as the architecture itself,\u201d he says. \u201cYet in some ways it is more complex to choose the right furniture, the right fabric, the right colour and create a successful interior. I had been collecting really good-quality furniture and I made decisions about pieces many years apart. When it was all installed, I was pleased to see there was a theme and everything did belong together.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"AA Tacchini \u2018Solar\u2019 lounge from Stylecraft invites relaxation. Cassina \u2018Doron Hotel\u2019 chair from Mobilia. Bench, vintage. Reuber Henning rug from Halcyon Lake. \u2018River\u2019 rug from Armadillo. Vase from Bastard Ceramics. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

Some of the pieces had more serendipitous origins. The large dining table, designed by architect Luigi Rosselli, was given to Rob by a client whose house he was remodelling. The table is now the scene not only of long convivial dinners but also those lively card games. And at the end of the day, a peaceful sleep is ensured as there is no sound or light pollution \u2013 other than the moon and stars. Rob also chose comfortable, luxurious beds and bedding to create good sleep experiences. <\/p>\n

\"AAlong the hallway is a runner from Halcyon Lake. Sculpture by Nabilah Nordin from Neon Parc on a \u2018Terra 01\u2019 solid timber plinth from Just Adele. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

Eventually, the aim is for the lodge to be available for short-term rentals, but for now, Rob and his family decamp there about once a month to happily share each other\u2019s company and enjoy living totally off-grid, while Rob nurtures the hope of being able to design and build more properties with similar qualities. <\/p>\n

The Design Team<\/p>\n

Rob Mills Architects: robmills.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n

\"SunloungersB&B Italia sunloungers from Space sit beside the sundrenched plunge pool. Towel from Loom. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

\"ValleyValley in the Victorian Alps cuts a low profile on the land. The three pavilions were strategically placed to maximise thermal efficiency and minimise environmental impact. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

\"ASociety Limonta linen and throw from Ondene. Rug from Loom. \u2018AJ\u2019 table lamp from Cult. \u2018Doron Hotel\u2019 chair from Mobilia. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

\"WithAnother view of the dining room. (Photography: Anson Smart | Photographic Assistance: Caitlin Mills | Styling: Jack Milenkovic)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Judy\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJudy Pascoe\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Working in daily newspapers here and overseas after university before being captivated by the brilliant world of magazines, Judy has had a long and varied career in journalism. From fashion and lifestyle publications to specialist food, travel, politics, business and design magazines she has written on a wide range of topics as well as edited and contributed to books. Inspired by beautiful design and innovative ideas, she loves getting an insider\u2019s view of the homes she writes about for Belle and Australian House & Garden. Travelling, dining out and reading are her other favourite diversions \u2013 preferably all within proximity to a beach.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If there was ever a perfect time to think seriously about sustainable living, it would surely be now.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":763510,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[449,458,459,64,63,460,134],"class_list":["post-763509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-design","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/763509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=763509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/763509\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/763510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=763509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=763509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=763509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}