Project: Somers House
Architecture: Kennedy Nolan Architects
Builder: Bartlett Constructions
Landscape Architect: Amanda Oliver Gardens
Location:Westernport Bay, Victoria, Australia
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Derek Swalwell
Somers House, designed by Kennedy Nolan Architects, embodies the studio’s commitment to blending architecture and interior design into a singular, cohesive discipline. Drawing inspiration from twentieth-century Modernism, the house represents a seamless relationship between form, space, and surface. Located near Westernport Bay, Somers House is both a tranquil retreat for small gatherings and a spacious venue for hosting family and friends.
A Singular Approach to Design
Kennedy Nolan Architects dispenses with the traditional separation between architecture and interior design, approaching both as an integrated process. In Somers House, this approach is evident in the way the interior and exterior inform one another, creating a unified aesthetic. From the charred timber cladding to the careful placement of furniture, the house reflects a consistent design sensibility. The result is a thoughtfully designed home where every detail contributes to a cohesive whole.
A House for Gathering and Solitude
Somers House was conceived as a versatile space. It functions as both a weekend getaway and a summer house for family gatherings. The design prioritizes connection to the surrounding landscape, offering an immersive experience of Westernport Bay, which can shift from calm and bucolic to wild and dramatic. At the same time, the house serves as a peaceful refuge for one or two people, offering serenity in its design.
The house includes a full range of functional spaces typical of a dwelling of its size, but it does so with careful intention. The spatial arrangement allows for privacy and separation while making coming together easy and enjoyable. Despite its large size, the house avoids the feeling of emptiness, maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout.
Robust Materiality and Earthy Palette
The material palette of Somers House is rich and varied. Oiled Douglas Fir, slate, ochre-hued render, and shou sugi ban create a robust and timeless foundation. These materials are complemented by carefully chosen insertions of red Persian travertine, raw brass, board-marked concrete, and terra-cotta. Unexpectedly intense hues of paint, cork, and linen add depth and contrast to the space.
Color plays a central role in the design, with a vivid, earthy palette inspired by the ochres of Gija woman Queenie McKenzie and influenced by the clients’ love for the vibrant chromatic energy of Luis Barragán. This exploration of color became an ongoing dialogue between the architects and the clients, with each hue, tint, and shade contributing to the emotional atmosphere of the house. The landscape design, featuring Forest Pansy trees in the Amanda Oliver garden, extends this palette into the surrounding environment.
A House Built to Last
In designing Somers House, Kennedy Nolan Architects paid close attention to the relationship between materials and weather. The use of shou sugi ban as external cladding was not only for its dark, recessive appearance but also for its durability in the face of weather, insects, and even fire. Inside, the same material takes on a velvety, tactile quality, creating an intense and intimate atmosphere.
The Douglas Fir elements, meanwhile, are designed to age gracefully, deepening into a honeyed warmth over time. The ochre-toned render on the exterior will develop a patina as it weathers, while inside, it remains rich and textural. Rather than diminishing with age, the house will evolve, with time and weather enhancing its aesthetic. This focus on resilience and natural aging ensures that Somers House will remain a timeless Australian coastal retreat.
A Harmonious Balance of Design and Materiality
Somers House by Kennedy Nolan Architects exemplifies the studio’s philosophy of merging architecture and interior design into a singular vision. Through the thoughtful use of robust materials, an earthy and vivid color palette, and a design that balances privacy with togetherness, the house becomes a deeply considered, long-lasting retreat. Its relationship with the natural environment and its emphasis on comfort and beauty make Somers House an exceptional example of modern Australian coastal architecture.
