EPSC Residence, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Real Estate Building, Australian Modern Farm House, Architecture Images

EPSC Residence in Mornington Peninsula

27 June 2023

Architecture: Davidov Architects

Location: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Images: Timothy Kaye and Enceladus Studio

EPSC Residence, Australia

EPSC Residence is conceived as a contemporary farmhouse, set within an undulating agricultural vineyard in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

The house is set into a steep hillside located deep within the secluded 25-acre property. One of the key design principles that influenced the placement and internal planning of the house was the idea of creating anticipation, a journey, and experience. The progression from the front gate to the house is focussed on the idea of compressing and revealing views at key vantage points allowing moments of contemplation and reprieve; as you cross an area of dense woodlands before emerging into the open expanse of hilly pasture and then disappearing again until you discover the house.

This theme is repeated again as the home first appears over the ridge of a hill and presents as an abstracted silhouette. A long featureless wall with the outline of two large monolithic chimneys act as markers in the landscape. A solitary slit in this long wall is the only indication of entry and creates a sense of intrigue, drawing visitors down the staircase towards the front door via two secluded courtyards.

Once inside, the solidity and compression experienced at the entry threshold is contrasted against the interior layout of the rooms which are orientated to look out across the vineyards and internal courtyards. Each space flows from one to another allowing a glimpse to the next space beyond. Moving through the home along the front facade is one of strengths of the interior planning. It provides a strong circulation route through the core living zones – master bedroom, study, kitchen, dining, living and retreat – and creates a natural flow between the spaces. Rooms can be closed off using sliding doors to create a sense of intimacy whilst maintaining visual connection between the internal spaces and external courtyards. The unfurling of the interior and exterior spaces become blurred with the use of large doors and windows which frame and focuses the landscape into the spatial experience of the house.

Whilst the landscape serves as a distinct feature of the project, it also presents one of the greatest challenges. The block of land is classed within a BAL12 zone and falls within the erosion management overlay which has some of the toughest planning restrictions. The internal courtyards were also conceived as exterior rooms that afford protection from the wind that often impacts the hillside.

The house design principles are a series of dichotomies, experiences, and journeys that come together to create a home that is monastic and solid, yet enveloping and intimate in nature. The materiality of the architecture is singular and monolithic in its selection and execution. The bleach white brickwork is used for the buildings several retaining walls, feature colonnade, and is also drawn into many of the internal walls to create a unified building mass nestled into the landscape. This simple palette was key in developing the refined farmhouse aesthetic but more importantly chosen for their longevity, durability, and timelessness that these materials afford. EPSC Residence has been thoughtfully planned and detailed to tie the architecture (Davidov Architects) and interiors (Hecker Guthrie) together to make a home that meets the clients’ needs and enhance their daily rituals. The result is an enduring piece of architecture and design that responds to its place but also illuminates its potential.

What was the brief?
The brief was to create a new family home that took advantage of the unique landscape and responded to the other environmental pressures of the site.