Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Home Built for Relaxing Retreats and Weekend Guests
Three pavilions offer a living hub, luxury master suite and guest accommodation with generous outdoor entertaining space
Having returned from Singapore to the seaside town of Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Robert and Kerry Fisher wanted a holiday home that celebrated the Australian beach house. They engaged Alishia Minett-Johnson, director of Minett Studio Architecture and Design, to create a low-maintenance home that could comfortably accommodate the couple as well as overnight guests. Minett designed a series of interconnected pavilions – guest, living and master suite – with an outdoor entertaining area at the back.
Natural materials and colours complement the surrounding landscape. Shadowclad plywood panels provide a dark, natural wood exterior. “They echo the tradition of weatherboard beach shacks,” says Minett.
The garage and living pavilion (pictured left rear) are rendered masonry. “These materials are low maintenance, robust and will weather and patina over time to soften into the landscape,” says Minett.
The garage and living pavilion (pictured left rear) are rendered masonry. “These materials are low maintenance, robust and will weather and patina over time to soften into the landscape,” says Minett.
The living pavilion is located at the centre of the house with the kitchen, dining and living area. Serving as the hub of the home, the space is modern, comfortable and relaxed.
Like the exterior, the interior palette is robust and architectural for a holistic design. The space has a modern barn-like aesthetic with an exposed cathedral-pitched ceiling. The triangle-shaped clerestory window and spotted gum scissor trusses stand out against the whitewashed-pine ceiling boards.
Windows are strategically placed to frame views of vegetation and the natural landscape.
A monolithic double-faced fireplace in saw-cut stone separates the living from the dining area and kitchen. “The scissor trusses link the two areas and connect the space visually and aesthetically while the fireplace allows intimate space within the larger volume,” says Minett.
Baw Baw Dry Stone: Eco Outdoor
Baw Baw Dry Stone: Eco Outdoor
A clerestory window above the kitchen mimics that in the living area, framing the neighbour’s ancient gum tree and allowing sunlight to filter through both ends of the pavilion. “This is particularly striking in the late afternoon when the sunlight dapples across the floors and walls,” Minett says.
The kitchen has a servery window for an outdoor kitchen on the deck. “It has a traditional stone pizza oven that the owner labours over, creating delicious feasts complemented with local wines,” says Minett.
Moooi Non Random pendant lights: Space; appliances: Miele; Hydrotap with sparkling water: Zip Water; integrated fridges: Liebherr Appliances Australia
The kitchen has a servery window for an outdoor kitchen on the deck. “It has a traditional stone pizza oven that the owner labours over, creating delicious feasts complemented with local wines,” says Minett.
Moooi Non Random pendant lights: Space; appliances: Miele; Hydrotap with sparkling water: Zip Water; integrated fridges: Liebherr Appliances Australia
The kitchen joinery is two-pack Laminex in Moleskin. “We purposefully decided against a stark white kitchen to soften the interior and allow for relaxed comfort,” Minett says. She selected the oak floorboards for their driftwood colouring that complements the joinery.
The splashback features Azulej tiles by Patricia Urquiola that combine a variety of geometric patterns.
Fendi Venture Plank engineered timber flooring: Havwoods; two-pack cabinetry in Moleskin: Laminex; Essastone Panna Cotta benchtop: Laminex; Azulej Bianco tiles by Patricia Urquiola: Mutina
The splashback features Azulej tiles by Patricia Urquiola that combine a variety of geometric patterns.
Fendi Venture Plank engineered timber flooring: Havwoods; two-pack cabinetry in Moleskin: Laminex; Essastone Panna Cotta benchtop: Laminex; Azulej Bianco tiles by Patricia Urquiola: Mutina
At the rear of the house, the master pavilion is clad in spotted gum. “It’s an almost turned-out expression of materiality of the living pavilion,” Minett says.
The two pavilions are separated by a breezeway to create the transition between these public and private spaces, and the glazing opens the bedroom to the deck. “As the site itself didn’t provide any views, we provided key landscape connections with the breezeway and a private garden to the master ensuite,” Minett says.
Sorrento Profile cladding: Woodform Architectural
Sorrento Profile cladding: Woodform Architectural
The master pavilion accommodates the bedroom, walk-in robe and ensuite. “The master bedroom is designed as a standalone area that’s personal and echoes a luxury hotel experience,” Minett says.
Herringbone by Bentzon Carpets in Cashmere: RC+D
Herringbone by Bentzon Carpets in Cashmere: RC+D
The walk-in robe separates the bedroom from the ensuite.
Refined Oak laminate with Raven Finish: Formica
Refined Oak laminate with Raven Finish: Formica
With sides for him and her, the Fishers can keep a holiday wardrobe here and display their favourite objects.
Spotted gum is used for the custom vanity in the bathroom to continue the material through the house. It adds colour, depth and texture to the calm space, which, like the kitchen, is a soft and natural off-white with bluestone floor tiles.
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More
Love great design? Check out last week’s Houzz Tour: Welcome to the Jungle in Suburban Brisbane
Tell us
What do you like most about the design of this home? Tell us in the Comments, save the images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Love great design? Check out last week’s Houzz Tour: Welcome to the Jungle in Suburban Brisbane
Who lives here: Robert and Kerry Fisher
Location: Flinders, Victoria
Size: 250 square metres, three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect: Minett Studio Architecture and Design
“The house echoes the poetic notion of a courtyard house with living pavilions,” says Minett. “Each pavilion is articulated with its own form and roofline, creating interest and moments of in-between as you journey from one pavilion to the next.”
A small, gabled pavilion with guest bedrooms and a flat-roofed garage face the street, with the path to the front door leading up the side of the house.