Dream Home : Shoreham House by SJB Architects

Designed by SJB Architects, Shoreham House is a stunning contemporary coastal retreat set on a stunning site overlooking Westernport Bay in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The five bedroom home was conceived as two pavilions sliding across the landscape to create shelter, shade and relief from the coastal weather patterns. The first pavilion is self-contained for an intimate getaway, while the second has been designed for extended family visits or fortunate guests.

Taking on a flat and horizontal language, the slipped pavilions create two outdoor leisure zones on either side of the house, each of which has been designed to withstand the various climatic conditions. The northern corner features a lap pool that cuts into the hillside, with views through an internal courtyard to the Robert Boyle designed grounds and the bay. An internal courtyard is nestled between the living room and cabana, offering a protected outdoor dining area.For starry nights, a ‘fire pit’ has been created with extensive slabs of local stone seating, providing the ultimate rural escape.

Establishing a strong sense of privacy, the house is a simple, low gesture nestled into the hillside, with only a spotted gum timber door indicating the entrance. This use of local timber extends throughout, from the decking to the outdoor areas, and is intended to weather over time to accentuate the natural colors of the landscape.

Designed to create a sanctuary away from life in the city, Shoreham House features raw and industrial materials that are deliberately robust to withstand the harsh coastal environment and family life. A discerning palette of materials has been utilised, including polished concrete flooring with embedded river pebbles, spotted gum cabinetry and feature columns, black granite benchtops and bluestone and black steel accents throughout.

A sense of space and calm has been created with three meter high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows which showcase sweeping views of the terraced grounds, from the rural creek bed to the Westernport Bay and beyond.