Point Lonsdale House by Field Office Architecture
Point Lonsdale House by Field Office Architecture
Why This House Was Designed to Tread Lightly
What does it mean for a house to tread lightly in a coastal landscape? At Point Lonsdale, Field Office Architects shaped a home that responds first to ecology, outlook and a sense of calm drawn from its surroundings.
Situated in Point Lonsdale, this coastal home by Field Office Architects is defined by clarity, restraint, and a deep sensitivity to place. Facing the challenge of a south-facing rear and coastal conditions, the plan is shaped by light, views, and outdoor living. By bringing the primary garden and entertaining space to the front of the site, the house establishes a generous, sun-filled heart that connects quietly with its surroundings. Internally, spaces are carefully calibrated to support both large gatherings and moments of retreat, with an emphasis on long-term adaptability. A palette of grey blocks and timber reflects the coastal hues and creates a sense of grounded warmth, allowing the house to patina and endure as part of its coastal landscape.
‘Our first impressions of the site were how calm and layered it was. It was surrounded by shrubs and coastal ecology, and we felt really immediately that we had to tread quite lightly. And so a lot of the decisions that were made, whether it was the layout, the materiality, the connection with views, the connection with nature, a lot of that was driven by this sense of trying to create something that felt like a real sanctuary, felt really calm.’
— Chris Barnes, Director, Field Office Architecture
Architecture by Field Office Architecture, built by Clarke Homes, landscape by Bernadette Barker Landscape Design, engineering by Tebbs Engineering, styling by Jessica Lillico.
Produced by Simple Dwelling, filmed, edited, photographed and words by Anthony Richardson.