Our contemporary take on a rustic vineyard house in Arthurs Seat

An existing 1970s brick cottage was sited on the high point of the site. Skirted with a beautiful scattering of mature gum trees and overlooking stunning Mornington Peninsula landscape valleys it was the perfect foil onto which to add this extensive extension.

With a mature vineyard to the south we determined that the best views we to be had by gaining further elevation to view over the top of the vines towards Flinders. The property was populated by a collection of farm buildings as well as the original home, so we decided that our proposal should extend this somewhat randomness. We wanted to protect the integrity of the original cottage which has a wonderful verandah as traditionally found on homes of this vintage.

The proposed extension sits obliquely to the original home with a thin sinuous link surrounded by water. The oblique angle allowed us to be sited parallel with the vines and directly on an east wet axis. This allowed us to have a long thin arrangement where all rooms gained access to the views to the south as well as the ideal light from the north.

The interiors of the living spaces and the master bedroom have cathedral ceilings with rustic rough sawn timbers juxtaposed against a rough earthy render. This in conjunction with a series of natural stone features create a carefully curated textural spatial quality which is both contemporary and rustic.

On the north side of the building a huge raised timber deck area is skirted with a linear pool and spa and a verandah adjacent the living spaces. This deck area is cradled between the new and the original buildings providing a shared zone which connects both materially and spatially.

Status: In documentation