Co-lab Architecture were engaged to develop a comfortable home perfect for entertaining a large extended family on the edge of the Mornington Peninsula. The design captures a near-panoramic view of the Bay Area and seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living.

By concentrating the building around a central courtyard, the scenery of the Bay acts as a focal point and becomes an extension of the house, while views to the pool at the ground floor mirror the ocean views attained above. Whilst the first floor contains all the areas for day-to-day family life, the ground floor is a mixed-program space with bedrooms and entertainment areas dotted throughout.

It was important for the clients that the adults would be able to supervise the children from any point on the ground floor. To that end, we designed a space with good visual connection between the formal and informal entertaining areas and across to the pool. This provides not only a sense of security for the adults but also creates a fluid and open space that reflects the social and family-oriented nature of the brief.