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In designing this Point Lonsdale house, Field Office Architecture set out to capture a strong sense of shelter and warmth, where the experience is driven by light, texture, and proportion rather than overt architectural gestures.
The architects have succeeded and then some, creating a visually appropriate yet contemporary take on the Bellarine Peninsula’s original timber beach houses, that also exceeds energy efficiency standards.
‘We weren’t interested in nostalgia or copying an old shack language, but we did want to retain that sense of restraint and ease that coastal places used to embody,’ explains Chris Barnes, director of Field Office Architecture.
‘The challenge is creating something contemporary and spacious without it feeling inflated or over designed, so the design leans into clarity of form, durability, and a calm presence, rather than something loud or attention seeking.’
Granted with an empty site, Field Office took the time to carefully design the project from the ground up, tailored to the clients and the site. ‘It also meant we could integrate long-term comfort, resilience, and ageing in place considerations from the beginning, rather than retrofitting those ideas later,’ says Chris.
The house also needed to balance intimacy with generosity to suit both two people, or a larger group when the owners’ adult children come to stay.
Sustainability was a key driver of the project, reflected in the durable materials. ‘We used robust masonry for the lower level to give the house weight and thermal stability, and timber cladding above to bring warmth and softness. Timber screening became an important layer as well, helping manage sun and privacy while giving the exterior a more textured, coastal character,’ says Chris.
‘Externally, we liked the idea that the building would settle into the garden and grey off naturally over time. Internally, that same restraint carries through with tactile materials and warm tones, so the home feels calm and lived-in rather than overly styled.’
The design combines passive design fundamentals with a high-performance envelope to operate ‘as close to off-grid as possible’ and achieve an 8 star NatHERS rating.
Chris says, ‘The house is supported by a 10kW solar array with a Tesla Powerwall battery, along with substantial rainwater capture and reuse, so it can run comfortably with far less reliance on external utilities than a typical new build.’
Thermal mass materials, careful planning, and a strong relationship to northern light means the house stays bright and warm through the day, and rarely needs active heating. ‘The layout also allows parts of the home to be closed off when it’s just the owners there, which improves comfort and efficiency without the house ever feeling compromised,’ says Chris.
The owners can now regularly entertain at home with ease, and no concerns about maintenance. ‘It’s a home that can be lived in properly without the constant anxiety of damaging something precious,’ says Chris.
Field Office is proud to have nailed the clients’ brief for a high performing house that also considers the character of the area. ‘We wanted the home to feel composed and understated — something that quietly belongs to Point Lonsdale — rather than competing for attention,’ says Chris.
The house provides a place where life naturally slows down, with spaces that encourage time outside, long meals, and simple routines. ‘Because the day-to-day living is resolved on the ground floor, it also gives a quiet confidence about the future, they can stay there long-term without it becoming tricky,’ says Chris.
‘The performance side makes a difference too. When a home holds temperature well and relies less on ongoing inputs, it changes how relaxed you feel living in it.
‘Ultimately, it’s a house that supports rest and connection.’
