Trewin house captures the sea

Architect: Wolf ArchitectsAbout the project: This house came about because the clients knew they had an exceptional site and understood well that it required great architecture.

A contemporary home that worked with the contexts steep slopes and able to capture the breathtaking sea views was necessary. Wolf Architects being well known for very contemporary homes on challenging sites was thus commissioned to accomplish those most challenging tasks.

Further to working with the difficult context the brief required for a home that would grow and adapt to a young family. There had to be room for expansion of activities with storage, outdoor areas, and even swimming pool to be built at a future time. As with many Wolf homes the internal spaces have a strong sense of connectivity that allows each family to be well aware of another’s activity. Further to that, each room is generous in size, open and flexible with almost every space having a direct view to the sea.

For a site that felt very connected to nature it was important to create a home that was both energy efficient and able to stand up to the test of time in both materiality and style. Orientation of important rooms had to be carefully balanced between the Northern light and views. A palette of concrete, stone, brick, and rammed earth allowed for low maintenance as well as good thermal mass.

Rammed Earth was building material envisioned from the onset as structural feature that would form an essential part of the homes character. While rammed earth has been around for centuries it ia a relatively innovative and unique building material for Melbourne It has a textural ambience which feels warm, natural and earthy. For the Trewin house it forms a continuous solid 400mm thick wall that defines the entry from outside and then extends through the entrance, along the stairs to finish as a balustrade on the first floor. WOLF architects wanted it to be a continuous surface that you could run your hands across from the moment of arrival through to the upper levels.

As owner builders, the clients remarkably overcame what is a highly complex structure that zigzags and twists from one space to the next. Strict geometry and proportions had to be adhered to not only for structural purposes but for in order to achieve the timeless aesthetics. The resulting home sits proudly and almost perfectly amongst its native context as if having stood there for decades.

The owners are overjoyed and have remarked that “everyday feels a blessing” in a such a home. The Trewin house marks not only the very first Wolf house in Mount Martha, and usage of rammed earth but a home that truly delivers joy to its users and built to last.

Story by: Trends