Inside a Beachside Modern Home with a Secret Courtyard: The Perfect Forever Home (House Tour)

Overlooking Port Phillip Bay, House on the Bay by Lovell Burton presents its owners with a modern home seamlessly integrated into the coastal environment. The owners, who have roots in the area, envisioned a dwelling that caters to their modern lifestyle and embraces its proximity to the beach. Recognising the need for privacy in this prominently positioned home, the architect prioritised addressing this concern without compromising the breathtaking views of Brighton. As a solution, Lovell Burton incorporated a secluded courtyard at the heart of the home, providing a space with uninterrupted, scenic views year-round.

Spanning three levels, House on the Bay welcomes the owners as they step through the first floor. This level not only houses the primary living areas, the main bedroom, ensuite and two studies but also presents an external courtyard upon entry. Here, both guests and owners are instantly immersed in the appreciation of the site’s surroundings and panoramic views. The ground floor accommodates the secondary bedrooms, a gym and parking, while the upper level contains a rooftop terrace designed as a garden space, providing different perspectives to savour the unique location of the modern home.

Drawing inspiration from the concept of protection, the design of House on the Bay takes cues from the nearby Brighton sea bars. To enhance this influence, and to harmonise with the distinctive features and locale, Lovell Burton utilises the surrounding beachscape as a guiding element for both the design and flow of the living spaces. In the pursuit of crafting a modern home seamlessly integrated into its surroundings, the architect collaborated with Shade Factor to develop a bespoke facade. A moveable screen, blending in with the coastal hues, has been applied to the exterior, providing the owners with the flexibility to open or close it. This feature not only harmonises with the beachside palette but also serves the dual purpose of ensuring privacy and offering expansive views when desired.

Exploring the interplay of light and shadow on the facade, the architect has incorporated a scallop design on the exterior of the modern home. These scallops, appearing flat in the shade, create a unique visual effect when illuminated by the sun. Lovell Burton opted for pared-back materials, with a focus on providing interior robustness through treated precast concrete. The exterior features fluted precast panels, while the interior showcases polished precast panels that have been sunblasted. Timber panels contribute tactile and transparent elements to the design. Additionally, darker tones on the flooring and ceiling inside accentuate the views towards the bay. Establishing a connection to the landscape, House on the Bay not only celebrates stunning views but also ensures a level of privacy and comfort for the owners to enjoy for years to come.

00:00 - Introduction to the Modern Home
00:39 - Creating The Private Forever Home
01:17 - A Walkthrough of the Home
02:06 - Reflecting Protection within The Build
03:27 - The Paired Back Material Palette
04:36 - Proud Aspects

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Photography by Rory Gardiner.
Architecture by Lovell Burton.
Build by Vaughan Constructions.
Landscape by Acre.
Structural Engineering by Meyer Consulting.
Geotechnical Engineering by Melbourne Geotechnics.
Facade Screens by Shade Factor.
Filmed and Edited by Cheer Squad Film Co.
Production by The Local Project.

Location: Brighton, Victoria, Australia

The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations people in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people of these lands.

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