The Sawmill Treehouse is an elevated, steel-clad cabin designed by Australian architect Robbie Walker in the rural Victorian High Country. It was created as a compact residential retreat for a client who valued a deep connection with nature and sought a sustainable escape to share with family and friends. Located in Sawmill Settlement, a leafy, alpine environment at the base of Mount Buller, the cabin is perched above a gully where street water discharges during large storms. The design is a clever response to the challenging site. The structure is elevated on four slim, steel columns that mimic the surrounding tree trunks, allowing water and wildlife to pass freely underneath. The single-story, rectangular cabin is wrapped in a skin of dark, weathered steel slats chosen for their durability in a bushfire-prone area (BAL 40 zone). These slats function as a rainscreen, providing shade and allowing air to circulate, which helps passively cool the building in the hot Australian summer, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Inside, the palette is intentionally pared-back and warm, with floors, walls, and ceilings lined entirely in Victorian ash wood. The compact layout includes a bedroom, a bathroom, and an open-plan kitchen and living area. The living space features a full-span glass wall that frames spectacular views of the gully and the surrounding tall trees. The design also incorporates bespoke, built-in furniture designed by Robbie Walker himself. A separate, smaller structure built on a flatter section of the site includes a garage, laundry, and a hidden outdoor kitchen. The project's most significant environmental achievement is its restraint. Despite having ample space, the client chose to build a small, one-bedroom retreat to minimize its impact on the special site. Credits Designer: Robbie Walker Photography: Earl Carter and Tasha Tylee