Merricks House

While the opportunities inherent in a semi-rural, seaside context have been exploited to their fullest in this peninsula house, lessons learned from the effects of an often harsh coastal environment have necessitated a balanced response. Rather than orientate the house solely to the sea view, and the accompanying sea winds, a pair of curved rammed-earth walls arcs across the landscape to divide the site, and the building. To one side of this central spine, views to Western Port Bay are captured and framed; to the other, the vista is back into the slope of the land, away from prevailing winds. Here on this protected side, the house opens up to outdoor living spaces and a pool.

Internally, the subtly curved spine itself is a dramatic thoroughfare drawing the visitor in, past a series of smaller, refined volumes housing bedrooms, to a main living zone. The rammed earth walls, concrete floors and timber-lined ceiling provide a luxuriously raw and tactile backdrop to the spectacular natural surrounds.