The Flow House designed by Gray Puksand is a beautiful hillside home nestled in Blairgowrie. It features judiciously utilised curved elements to create an architecture that conveys the notion of the upper levels flowing down to the ground. With breathtaking ocean views acting as its driving architectural ideals, the building impresses with its beautiful sculptural exterior. Let’s take a closer look!
A transfer from Melbourne City to Mornington Peninsula Blairgowrie saw Gray Puksand engaged by a client to put their dream of a sea change to life. The evocative environment of the coastal hinterland and the sloping site is fundamental to the design narrative of the Flow House. The style is actually supposed to look like the house is sitting on top, but feels like it’s streaming down the slope.
Primary living spaces are established within floating planes that are horizontally extended to create overhangs and decks. Materiality was the secret to the client’s brief for an exquisite home with polished flooring, woodwork and glass defining the interior. Masonry was used at the lowest level to suggest the impression of an escarpment protruding out of the hill. This masonry sets the podium for the main living areas which are strongly distinguished, sitting at the top of the escarpment. First floor spaces are planned to catch the surrounding vistas.
The emphasis at ground level is on developing a more intimate atmosphere with rooms overlooking the lap pool’s water. A romantic architectural gesture is provided by the external stairway, with its grand scale intended to establish a sense of formality and anticipation on the journey to the main entrance. To create an entry level presence that visually aligns with the tones and trunks of the adjacent natural coastal woodland areas, multi-toned battens screen the garage and internal spaces.
The design language embraces the concept of moving through space on the vertical circulation routes, to the entry, and inside the house, with the architecture becoming more descriptive. So as to foster the principle of interflow between exterior and interior spaces, internal finishes are largely kept neutral. This fascinating home by Gray Puksand makes for a unique study in sculptural architecture and designing on a slope.
Project: Flow House
Architect: Gray Puksand
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Type: New Build
Photography: Christine Francis
