Back Beach House — Portsea
NEW HOME
A wonderfully simple brief – to create an elegant and practical family holiday home that seamlessly blends modern coastal aesthetics with traditional, familiar forms.
Positioned to maximise natural light and outdoor living, the design is defined by a striking all-white exterior featuring vertical cladding with natural timber accents, evoking a fresh, contemporary coastal character. A crisp metal roof with fully concealed gutters creates a clean, uninterrupted silhouette, while the building massing is articulated through a series of gabled forms that bring visual rhythm and invite natural light deep into the interior.
Inside, the planning is spatially and structurally efficient, optimising a deliberately compact footprint. Free flowing communal areas connect seamlessly to a series of separable private spaces configured to allow occupants to either engage or retreat.
A sophisticated neutral palette of white, pale timber and cool-toned marble establishes a calm and refined atmosphere. The gourmet kitchen features a stunning light marble splashback framed by full-height joinery and a generous island bench with extended dining options. The vertical panelling used throughout the joinery mirrors the home’s external cladding, creating a subtle material continuity. A large overhead skylight floods the workspace with natural light, enhancing the sense of openness.
The living area centres around a custom-designed louvred sliding-door TV unit that conceals storage and maintains the home’s minimalist aesthetic. A built-in window seat overlooking the deck and pergola provides a quiet reading nook and a moment of passive engagement with the surrounding landscape.
At the heart of the outdoor space lies an expansive natural timber deck that steps gently down to the garden. Designed for relaxed entertaining, the space includes an integrated outdoor kitchen with sleek white cabinetry, a concrete benchtop and a built-in BBQ for effortless alfresco dining. A louvred pergola extends from the main structure, offering shade while preserving a light, airy feel.
Back Beach House is a study in refined simplicity - a home of clean lines, light-filled spaces and a material palette that celebrates restraint. The design unites the gabled vernacular of traditional Australian coastal architecture with a sharp, contemporary execution, creating a timeless family retreat that embodies the essence of relaxed sophistication.
Builder: MPM Building
Photography: Natalie Jeffcott
Completed: 2023