Textural and Contained – Esplanade House by Eckersley Architects

Casting its own personality and identity through an eclectic array of styles inside and out, Esplanade House sits as a contemporary offering in Port Melbourne, blending textural subtlety with a bold silhouette. Eckersley Architects integrates warmth and familiarity within a refined and considered home, imbuing it with references to both nature and the built environment.

Adjacent to the nearby Edwards Park, Esplanade House takes advantage of its corner allotment to create a visual statement amid its surrounds. In crafting the crisp form, Eckersley Architects combines softness and organic sensibility with a modest approach that responds well to the existing urban fabric that envelops the dwelling. Intentionally recessive in the streetscape, the residence captures the feeling of home as being a place of rest and retreat. Each of the comprising elements also convey a feeling of warmth and calmness, working together to become a sanctuary disconnected from the outside world. Whilst the surrounding vernacular is dotted with both heritage and contemporary residences, this house seamlessly bridges the past and present.

In crafting the crisp form, Eckersley Architects combines softness and organic sensibility with a modest approach that responds well to the existing urban fabric that envelops the dwelling.

The unconventional reinterpretation of Esplanade House sees a bespoke floor plan emerge as a result. Deliberately inverted, the kitchen, living and dining spaces are elevated to the first floor, capitalising on the views of the picturesque park outside. This innovative arrangement immerses the owners in the beauty of nature from within their home, creating an immersive experience in each space. Upon entering, one is welcomed by a timber-clad corridor that leads to a private courtyard further within, where occupants and guests can bask in stillness. The sense of disconnection is established early on, setting the tone for what is to come as one ventures deeper inside.

On the lower level are several large guest bedrooms, their doors concealed by timber cladding that lines the entryway corridor. Tucked further into the site are more spaces that echo a sense of intimacy, yet their connection to the surrounds reveals an interplay between inside and out. Across the various floors, a similar feeling between the built and the natural is emphasised and celebrated. Creating and allowing for uninterrupted views outward and between zones encourages an ease of flow and draws in fresh air and natural light.

This innovative arrangement immerses the owners in the beauty of nature from within their home, creating an immersive experience in each space.

Connected yet removed enough to feel as though one is entering a peaceful sanctuary, Esplanade House is an energising abode. Eckersley Architects has crafted a tranquil home where the owners can immerse themselves in the sublime surrounds whilst enjoying moments of privacy inside.