Portsea House

This holiday home is filled with inviting light-filled spaces and clever design flexibility.

The existing dwelling was a 1970s architecturally designed abode that sat alongside a swimming pool and tennis court. The homeowners’ brief was to provide spaces that would cater for the infl ux of friends and family at certain times of the year, so happy holidaymakers would have ample room to be comfortable. As well as a requirement to add more space, there was a sense of disconnect in the design that needed to be addressed.

Enter Timmins Architecture, which ably took on the challenge. “We really wanted to connect all the built parts on the site that originally felt independent of each other,” explains Sally Timmins. The tennis court and pool fencing were removed to create a sense of unity, and the outdoor bar was given a facelift. “Now a new sauna room with a spherical skylight sits behind an organic timber-battened screen nestled into the landscape,” says Sally.

Before the renovation, the dwelling consisted of five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, a small kitchen and laundry. Sally notes the kitchen and bathrooms were the main challenge for the swell of visitors over the summer months. With a beautiful new kitchen that caters for a crowd, a scullery, additional living area and bedroom wing, there’s now ample space for all. A neutral colour palette was chosen to replace a busy colour scheme, with select accents and artful pops of colour.

As part of the project, the kitchen was rotated and opened up. “The bathroom that once backed onto the kitchen became a new scullery, with larger equipment and food storage for catering to large groups,” notes Sally. “This space can be closed off when only the immediate family is staying.” There are also large pocket sliding doors in several locations along the bedroom spine, so spaces there can be opened up as needed.

This design flexibility underpins the success of the project. It’s a home that can morph into larger or smaller spaces on demand. Soaring skillion roofs invite in warm light and promote airfl ow. Sally says one of the most appealing aspects of the project is how the new addition interacts with the original part of the residence. “We’ve aligned windows and doors through multiple spaces that puncture the deeper parts of the house with natural light and encourage long views to the outside as you move through the spaces,” she says. “Now, none of the spaces feel like you’re going to bed in a dusty, dark, low-ceiling back room.”

Environmental considerations have been ably addressed in the design. These include large roof overhangs that allow the low winter sun to warm the interiors, but limit direct sizzling summer sun. There is also solar, double glazing, louvres and openable windows to expel heat.

Part of the design intent was to always honour the architecture of the original dwelling ,and Sally says the feedback has supported this. “Friends and family have all commented that overall, the house feels the same, just lighter, brighter and more open,” she shares.