Hughes Central Re-milled Timber Flooring for a Smarter 1960s Home

January 2026

Hughes Central is a carefully considered reworking of a 1960s home, redesigned by MYMYMY Architects and built by DXT Constructions. The project focused on improving the performance of the existing house, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency while respecting the character and scale of the original structure.

Recycled Australian Blackbutt timber, re-milled flooring

From the outset, material selection played a key role in achieving these goals. Recycled timber flooring was chosen not only for its aesthetic appeal, but also for its contribution to the home’s passive performance. Timber has natural insulating properties that help keep interiors cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling and supporting lower ongoing energy use.

Recycled Blackbutt re-milled flooring paired with bold stone.

The flooring adds another layer to the project’s sustainability story. A total of 110 square metres of recycled Australian Blackbutt / Dense Browns flooring was sawn and re-milled from salvaged house roof timbers. By repurposing structural timbers that had already served a previous life, the project avoided the environmental cost associated with new materials and kept valuable resources in use for longer.

This approach reflects circular economy principles in action. Instead of demolition waste being sent to landfill, existing timbers were recovered, re-milled and transformed into a finished flooring product suited to contemporary residential use. The material carries the marks of its past life, subtle nail traces, grain variation and colour depth that cannot be replicated in new timber, adding a sense of authenticity and history to the home.

Finished with Osmo Polyx Oil Matt 3062, the recycled timber flooring enhances the natural texture and warmth of the wood while providing a durable, breathable surface suited to everyday living. The result is a floor that performs thermally, supports sustainable building practices and contributes to the architectural narrative of the house.

Blackbutt / Dense Browns re-milled timber flooring

At Hughes Central, recycled timber flooring is more than a finish. It is part of a broader design approach that values longevity, material reuse and thoughtful transformation, proving that improved energy performance and circular design can sit comfortably within refined residential architecture.

Why recycled timber flooring?

Recycled timber flooring offers more than visual character. Having already seasoned over decades, recycled timbers are highly stable, with reduced movement compared to newly harvested timber. This makes them well suited to residential flooring, particularly in homes designed for long term comfort and performance.

Timber also provides natural thermal insulation, helping maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and supporting more energy-efficient living. By re-milling existing structural timbers into finished flooring, valuable materials are kept in circulation and diverted from landfill, reducing demand for new resources. Locally manufactured recycled timber flooring has a very low embodied energy compared to many other flooring choices. Transport is minimal, processing and machining is done with renewable electricity and the wood itself is recycled and stores carbon.

At Thor’s Hammer, recycled timber flooring brings together durability, performance and circular design, transforming materials from their past life into enduring surfaces for contemporary homes. Contact us today to discuss your flooring project.