Set within the tightly held coastal suburb of Portsea, Portsea House is a refined residential retreat shaped by its natural surroundings and deep respect for place.

Anchored around a striking 800-year-old Moonah tree, the design responds directly to the existing landscape, allowing architecture and nature to coexist as one. From arrival, a carefully curated entry sequence unfolds — a driveway gently guiding visitors toward the Moonah and main entrance, reinforcing the tree as the spiritual and spatial heart of the home.

The architecture is defined by restraint and elegance. A thin, floating roofline and softly bending forms wrap around the site, drawing influence from Brazilian modernism through gentle curves and refined proportions. This approach lends the home a sense of lightness and fluidity, while maintaining a strong architectural presence grounded in clarity and precision.

Materiality plays a critical role in connecting the house to its coastal context. Six handcrafted, double-sided sandstone walls — including a stone-mason-crafted boundary wall — reference the rugged coastal formations of the region. These tactile elements introduce texture, permanence and a sense of craftsmanship throughout the property, grounding the refined architecture in the rawness of its environment. Together, landscape, form and material create a home that feels both considered and enduring.