Situated on Australia's coast, Peninsula House by Wood Marsh is a creative architectural reaction to the untamed environment and the flowing lines of the rural terrain. The striking artifact, which has been worn down by its surroundings, reminds us of how humans and the natural world coexist. Perched atop the site's highest point, overlooking the coastal stretch of Flinders with Bass Strait beyond, Peninsula House commands attention with its commanding presence and thoughtful design.
(Photo: Timothy Kaye)
Meandering Driveway and Rammed Earth Facade
Approaching the dwelling along a meandering driveway, one is greeted by a ribbon of rammed earth rising monumentally 10 meters into the air. This earthy facade wraps behind the dwelling, gradually tapering and seamlessly melding with the landscape. Designed with minimal glazing and considerable thermal mass, the elevation stabilizes the heat from the afternoon sun, ensuring comfort within. A notch midway along the wall creates a subtle shadow line, guiding visitors to the entry.
Crossing the threshold, one enters a lush, planted atrium that defines the building's axial center and bathes the interior in natural light. Bending hallways snake from the atrium, delineating three distinct zones: a living zone for entertaining, a bedroom zone, and a recreation zone. The private main bedroom, perched above the living zone, is accessed via a sweeping, dark stair, adding to intrigue and drama.
(Photo: Timothy Kaye)
Living Space and Terrace
The main double-height living space ascends dramatically towards expansive glazing, offering panoramic views of the rural terrain and ocean beyond. A sweeping parabolic ceiling lends a unique acoustic quality to the space, accommodating the sound of the owner's grand piano and collection of musical instruments. Adjacent to the main living space, a large sheltered terrace provides the ideal setting for grand poolside events, offering stunning vistas of the valley and water below.
Each of the five bedrooms and main living spaces celebrates views of the rural context and surrounding landscape, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. At the end of an evocative hallway, lined with rammed earth and slot windows, lies a purpose-built recording studio, offering a sanctuary for creativity and inspiration.
(Photo: Timothy Kaye)
Dark Natural Palette and Harmonious Integration
Externally, a dark natural material palette of charred timber and rammed earth, chosen for its robustness and low-maintenance qualities, envelops the building. The charred battens cloak the building mass, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the rural context as an enigmatic form. Internally, the thematic quality of darkness continues, with black mosaic tiles, timber battens, brass, and terrazzo flooring creating a striking contrast against the natural surroundings.
Peninsula House is envisioned to sit harmoniously within the topography of its site, its raw sculptural language belying its domestic use- an erosional remnant formed by its harsh, exposed coastal setting. As a testament to the enduring relationship between architecture and landscape, Peninsula House is a beacon of design excellence and a celebration of the Australian coastline.
