Portsea House: a curvaceous home by Wood Marsh Architecture eschews the Australian resort town norm

Defined by a rounded, abstract black mass floating atop a rammed earth wall, Portsea House is the latest venture from Australian architecture firm Wood Marsh.

Nestled into the crest of a leafy court, the house stands in contrast to the surrounding landscape. Built in the Victorian suburb of Portsea, the home is anything but common for the traditional resort town.
 
'It looks a bit like a spaceship has landed on the ground,' remarks architect Roger Wood. 'The house was inspired by the surrounding environment, tall white stone cliffs and charred driftwood, the fluid nature of the surrounding ocean.' All of these elements make themselves present when viewing the house from the street and resonate subtly through the interiors.

Take an interactive tour of Portsea House

Upon entering the house through the curved retaining wall, a secluded bar and entertaining space sits hidden opposite the main staircase. The main level is characterised by a full-height glazed rear façade that frames the surrounding landscape. The amount of light and fauna brought into the main level transforms it into a seamless indoor/outdoor experience.

An expansive deck flows out from here to the pool area, which is partially screened by an arcing masonry wall. The main level also contains a striking indoor terrarium used to separate the kitchen and dining room from the structure's two wings, housing the master and additional bedrooms.
 
Portsea House received a residential architecture prize at the 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards from the Australian Institute of Architects. The home will advance to the 2014 National Architecture Awards; winners will be announced in early November.