Howqua River Lodge has been a lifelong vision. A self-sufficient retreat immersed in the Victorian Alps, created to reconnect generations of our family with nature, each other and a simpler, healthier way of living.
Rob Mills
Set within the pristine Howqua Valley, Howqua River Lodge was conceived to create a sense of belonging. Three carefully positioned pavilions draw inspiration from the local alpine vernacular, sitting lightly within their surroundings while framing uninterrupted views across the valley. As you approach the residence and move through its spaces, the senses gradually heighten. Colour, texture and material are as important as the composition of the architecture, shaping the character of the place and how it makes you feel.
Inside, a restrained palette of natural materials were selected, with warm textures and handcrafted detailing creating an atmosphere that feels both aspirational and embracing. These sensory qualities give each space its own emotional character, while bringing a sense of warmth and belonging to the residence as a whole. Wellness is woven naturally into everyday life through spaces for gathering, restoration and reflection, including a pool, spa, sauna and ice bath. Together with the landscape.
This place has been part of my family's story for generations. Our ambition was to create a lodge that would honour the land, endure over time and provide future generations with the opportunity to reconnect with nature and one another. This is an important place where my family and I gather.
– Rob Mills
The Howqua Valley is a landscape defined by change, and living here means becoming part of its rhythms. Sunrise and sunset, expansive views, fresh breezes and silence create a constant awareness of the natural world. Fresh water, rich soil and the changing seasons make the experience both inspiring and nurturing. Summer invites time on the river, autumn brings stillness and colour, winter transforms the valley into something elemental and remote, before spring signals renewal. Immersed in the landscape, yet with complete privacy and security, every return offers a different experience of place.
Healthy Living informed every aspect of Howqua River Lodge Residence. Expansive views, natural light, fresh alpine air and carefully considered spatial planning work together to support emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. Wellness spaces are integrated naturally into the home, while authentic materials and a close relationship with the landscape create an environment that restores, calms and reconnects people with the rhythms of nature. Howqua River Lodge features fresh air at all times, pure drinking & bathing water, healthy materials & acoustics, shelter from direct rain and sun.
Sustainability is approached by RMA as a long-term commitment to the land and creating a home that can stand the test of time rather than a collection of environmental initiatives. The pavilions were carefully positioned to maximise natural light, passive heating and thermal performance while minimising their impact on the landscape. Native revegetation, habitat restoration, recycled materials and efficient building systems combine to create a residence that responds thoughtfully to its environment while preserving it for future generations.
Designed to operate independently, the lodge generates its own energy through an extensive solar array, harvests rainwater and manages wastewater through an integrated closed-loop system. Passive heating and cooling strategies, hydronic heating and carefully considered environmental design reduce reliance on mechanical systems, creating a residence that is both resilient and deeply connected to its alpine setting. The Aboriginals taught us how to be self-sufficient and self-sustain on the land. My forefathers gave us the important ingredients to live the life we know. Today we are awaking to the way of life the aboriginal community because we need to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining.
Howqua River Lodge Residence demonstrates the value of a fully integrated approach. RMA led the architecture, interiors and strategic delivery of the project, ensuring every decision contributed to a single, cohesive vision. From the earliest planning considerations through to the final details, this continuity protected the integrity of the design while delivering certainty throughout every stage of the journey.
The things we choose to live with become part of the story of our lives. At Howqua River Lodge, that story was gathered slowly over many years. Furniture was found at auction, purchased in sales or brought from other properties, while Japanese ceramics and forest tapestries discovered in Paris became part of the collection. Nothing was chosen simply to fill a space. Each piece had its own history and meaning, and when everything finally came together at Howqua, it felt as though it had always belonged. The final chapter of the lodge was complete.
To be sustainable, a home must first be designed to last. RMA has extensive experience designing in demanding environments where salt, wind, bushfire, cyclones and other natural forces are ever present. Materials and systems are selected not only for their beauty, but for their ability to withstand the conditions of the land. Non-combustible materials, independent water supplies, fire protection and backup power can become part of the architecture itself. Resilience is never treated as an addition to the design; it is considered from the beginning, creating homes with every opportunity to endure for generations.
