Project: McCrae House 1 & 2
Architecture: Vibe Design Group
Builder: Icon Synergy
Location: McCrae, Victoria, Australia
Year: 2019
Photo Credits: Jack Lovel
McCrae House by Vibe Design Group sits directly across from McCrae Beach on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, embodying a refined balance of sculptural design, coastal serenity, and architectural precision. Comprised of two distinct yet harmonious residences—McCrae House 1 and McCrae House 2—the project was conceived to provide each home with its own personality while maintaining a cohesive street presence. The result is a striking pair of contemporary coastal homes that blend form, function, and relaxed sophistication.
A Dual Design with Individual Identity
While the two residences share a modern design language and complementary proportions, each is crafted with unique spatial and visual characteristics. The McCrae House project achieves this through staggered outdoor areas, subtle screening, and carefully framed sightlines that ensure privacy while maintaining openness.
Inside, both homes follow fluid, intuitive layouts where warm tones, natural materials, and bold geometric forms echo the façades’ architectural rhythm. The seamless indoor–outdoor flow encourages an effortless connection to the coastal setting—perfectly aligned with the relaxed lifestyle of the Mornington Peninsula.
McCrae House 1 – The Power of Shapes
McCrae House 1 defines its identity through strong geometry and a serene spatial balance. Every shape and volume is positioned with intention, creating visual harmony and selective privacy. The home’s design allows each moment—from moving through the entry to stepping into the sunlit courtyard—to feel carefully composed yet naturally relaxed.
A downstairs master suite features “L”-shaped glazing that frames views of the pool, while a study opens onto a light-filled courtyard that invites calm focus. Circulation throughout the house is fluid and practical: a walkthrough laundry provides direct access between the garage and main living zones, simplifying daily routines.
Beyond its efficiency, McCrae House 1 exudes tranquility. The interplay of form, proportion, and materiality creates an atmosphere that feels balanced and deeply human—a home that transitions effortlessly between functionality and quiet luxury.
McCrae House 2 – The Play of Light
Located diagonally across from McCrae Lighthouse, McCrae House 2 explores the poetry of light and shadow. Vertical timber battens define the façade, filtering sunlight throughout the day to produce a constantly changing visual rhythm. The upper level captures framed views of treetops and the distant lighthouse, connecting the home to its coastal surroundings.
At ground level, a private courtyard mediates the transition from street to interior, creating a reflective space filled with warmth and soft light. Inside, the timber kitchen opens to a concealed scullery behind a pivot door, while the adjacent laundry glows with natural light from its glazed rear access.
Every detail in McCrae House 2 enhances the experience of natural illumination—from the morning glow filtered through battens to the golden afternoon light that dances across the façade.
Coastal Modernism with Character
Together, McCrae House 1 and 2 express a shared architectural vision: contemporary coastal homes that are sculptural yet livable, minimal yet warm. The project redefines seaside living through design that feels at once composed and spontaneous—where geometry, light, and texture come together to create homes that are not only beautiful to look at but deeply satisfying to inhabit.
