We take you inside Cumulus House in Wye River on Victoria’s surf coast. A Modernist Retreat that explores minimalist interior design and quiet luxury. Set high on a hill overlooking this ocean, Cumulus House was designed by Chris Connell Design, who undertook both the architecture and interior design. Take a closer look around…
The home is elevated above a very steep site. What is a very private and concealed experience from the facade inevitably opens itself up once you walk through that front door. The central hallway leads you toward the fireplace and the glass sliding doors that wrap the full width of the living and dining. Extending further onto the outdoor balcony with expansive views of the bush and the ocean below.
Balconies extend from each bedroom to continue that connection to nature in each room. With restrained interiors – the removal of decorative elements creates an invisible backdrop. Receding into the background, for all your attention to be drawn outside rather than in.
This particular area of coastline is in a Flame Zone with a BAL40 rating. To meet requirements they needed to put in a bunker and build with fire resistance materials – absolutely no timber in sight but rather cement cladding, galvanised steel and composite decking. Under the house is fully sealed with cement sheet and these design considerations led to a very robust, functional exterior. One that was very much in harmony with a modernist approach.
Watch the LET US IN Home Tour of Cumulus House now on Youtube
Photography: Willem-Dirk du Toit
Architecture & Interiors: Chris Connell Design
Location: Wye River, Victoria
