Merricks Beach House
Merricks Beach, Victoria
Located on a spectacular site, perched above Merricks Beach with a view gently filtered by the trunks of existing trees, our clients recognised that this was an opportunity for a special project. They approached Bower Architecture to design an solution for an exciting family beach house, that would elegantly sit within the context and connect with the surrounding landscape and view.
Our response was to elevate the living and outdoor areas at the front of the house by half a floor level, to result in a powerful internal floating focus to the view beyond. This raised floor maintains a link to the ground landscape and avoids the disconnection that can occur when living levels are located higher at first floor level.
The three separate half split levels that arise from this gesture result in separate kids and adult areas towards the rear, which both connect to the open communal living spaces. Further voids and bridges strengthen these connections and allow dramatic sightlines and glimpses of landscape through the length of the house, inviting their tranquillity within.
Two joint and continuous skillion roofs fall across the width of the site, creating raked ceilings and exciting spaces within and a building shape that gradually descends into the landscape.
