Dusty Miller House by Not All Architecture

With restrained poise and an emphasis on materiality, Dusty Miller House embodies what it means to be dynamic and adaptive. As light and shadow interplay across the interior, Not All Architecture demonstrates the importance of understanding form and function, and how both can be used to prioritise views and the surrounding environment.

Elevated on site, Dusty Miller House is a contemporary beach house with the adaptive ability to be repurposed into a more permanent residence for the homeowners. The geometries of the house, which ideally delineates the interior spaces, were ultimately determined by the site and its surroundings. Due to this, the living spaces are positioned to face north, while the main bedroom enjoys first light and maintains its privacy. A curved verandah defines the exterior areas and ties together the indoor and outdoor experience. A striking front facade and carport, elevated by a timber ramp, speak to the home’s streetscape; the ramp itself not only allows the residents to age in place but also provides an accessible space for family to gather.

What grounds the structure is its use of timber throughout, which imparts a robust yet gentle warmth.

The lower level of the home acts as an expanded area for occupants, intentionally focusing on functionality and a clear connection to outdoor areas. This connection to the site is vital to the home’s experience, as the covered lower level and western and northern decks are adaptable for use all year round. Speaking to the local site, indigenous plants are used as a way to strengthen and reinforce a relationship to nature while similarly encouraging the regeneration of Anglesea’s local biodiversity.

What grounds the structure is its use of timber throughout, which imparts a robust yet gentle warmth. This warmth permeates every facet, enveloping the exterior and shaping the home’s interior spaces. The dedication to a natural material palette not only fosters a cohesive tonality but strengthens the connection between the property and its landscape. In the kitchen, a dark splashback contrasts beautifully with the softness of the timber, defining the space with striking clarity.

Dusty Miller House captures the essence of beach house living, becoming a modern and tranquil residence that breathes and adapts to its surroundings.

Situated in Anglesea, Dusty Miller House captures the essence of beach house living, becoming a modern and tranquil residence that breathes and adapts to its surroundings. Not All Architecture celebrates the site’s dynamic nature, skilfully using both material and geometric form to forge a connection with nature and deliver a warm, functional home.

Architecture by Not All Architecture. Interior design by Daisy Eckersley. Build by Surfcoast Construction. Landscape design by Simon Taylor Landscape Design.