Naturally Inspired – Lorne House by Austin Design Associates

Lorne House captures the spirit of the coastal lifestyle, generously dissolving boundaries between inside and out and emphasising its location through natural materiality. Austin Design Associates draws focus on the surrounding context as inspiration for the home, enriching the project through textures and an outward directive.

Anchored to its sloping site in Lorne, the same-named home combines its warm and robust influence from its surrounds with a lightened coastal approach. The resulting structure becomes a place of retreat and immersion within nature – the combination of lighter and darker elements acts as an intentional gesture and enables a feeling of connection between the internal and the external. Argos Design and Austin Design Associates sculpt the interior experience of the home as a cocooning shelter from the elements, constructing a series of connecting spaces enriched through textural expression.

The resulting structure becomes a place of retreat and immersion within nature – the combination of lighter and darker elements acts as an intentional gesture and enables a feeling of connection between the internal and the external.

Ocean views were key to the brief and are framed with consistent glazing, funnelling an uninterrupted series of lookouts visible throughout the project. Working to the challenges of a bustling neighbourhood, John Orr & Son built substantial blockwork blade walls and a flat roofing profile to avoiding impacting views of other buildings.

Whilst the focus remains on surrounding natural elements, creating a sanctuary of equally appealing measure was imperative. The materials and applied finishes enforce a natural reprieve, where warming timber is used liberally alongside concrete and stone. The connection between inside and out emphasises the link to nature, with outdoor terraces blurring the boundaries of where the public and natural meet.

The materials and applied finishes enforce a natural reprieve, where warming timber is used liberally alongside concrete and stone.

Lorne House elevates the traditional coastal home and retains the essence of the surrounding natural environment. With nuanced details throughout, Austin Design Associates has created a structure that uniquely expresses both its location and its owners.