Barwon Dunes House

Barwon Dunes House is a coastal family home defined by a contrast between solidity and lightness. Substantial rammed-earth walls anchor the ground floor, creating a sense of permanence and shelter, while a curved Blackbutt screen wraps the upper level, filtering sunlight and providing privacy from neighbouring homes. At the centre of the house, a double-height living space and elevated bridge connect the upper-level bedrooms, office and gym, bringing light deep into the plan and creating visual connections between floors. Ground-floor living spaces open directly to the garden and a protected outdoor terrace, extending family life into the landscape. A restrained palette of rammed earth, timber, limestone and travertine flows between inside and out. Passive solar design, natural ventilation and thermal mass are integrated into the architecture, complemented by a 12.5kW solar system and heat-pump hydronic heating. The result is a robust yet refined coastal home designed for family life, privacy and longevity.