Balnarring Victoria

Located in Balnarring in coastal Victoria, from the very first discussion with the client the project aim was that the building would need to be specifically non-specific, a space that could be nothing one minute and everything the next, designed by Branch Studio architects the dwelling required to regularly and effortlessly switch between an empty nondescript shell of limitless possibilities to a fully functioning private residence, a knitting studio, a reading room, weekend drinks with the neighbours, yoga, Christmas day lunch.

At the heart of it all was the idea of retreat, a slow moving space that would provide a haven from the hectic paces of modern life, a slow building for slow living. The connection with nature was an important element. Immediately in front of the glazed wall is the sunken ‘day bed’ providing multiple options for sitting and watching the ducks. A series of plywood boxes have been designed to ‘infill’ the sunken section, providing a larger usable area for parties and gatherings by creating a consistent floor level when in place, while also providing a versatile option for additional tables and seating when removed from the recess and placed throughout the space.

Photography – Peter Clarke