Rammed earth, resort-style home on the VIC coast

Located one block back from the coast on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, this home provides quite a contrast to its neighbours – a ramshackle array of fibro holiday shacks. But the streetscape is slowly changing as more and more people make the sea change.

“Recent times have brought many more permanent residents, and the newer housing in the area has begun to reflect this with larger, often highly architecturally designed housing in a more modern style,” says the home’s designer Amy Hart, director of The Little Brick Studio.

But while the home stands out for its striking, modern design, its material palette ensures it blends with the landscape. “Rather than replicating the dated neighbouring homes, the dwelling successfully uses colour, texture and tonal elements to imitate the natural coastal surrounds,” says Amy. Mirroring the contrasting coastal tones of the sand and vegetation, rammed earth and charred timber cladding make for a timeless combination.

Home to a young family of four, this is the third home that Amy has designed for them and it merges their favourite aspects from the earlier projects. “We picked out the elements that they loved about their prior homes and melded them into their new dream home,” says Amy who explains that her clients’ needs have changed quite a bit since becoming new parents.

With a view to building a ‘forever’ family abode, versatile, future-proof spaces were high on the list, as well as a request for plenty of natural light, seamless indoor/outdoor transitions and large open plan living areas.

And given the home’s owners spend a lot of time holidaying in Queensland, a resort-feel was also a top design priority – a feel that is perhaps best embodied by the home’s pool which is visible from the main living space.

Even the home’s many textured and reflective surfaces were chosen to highlight the pool – the palette ensuring that the swimming area is the standout feature. “The reflections of the water, the shadows and light can be glimpsed throughout the house. They provide a hint of the coastal lifestyle the client loves so much.”

Photography: Amorfo Photography

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