Not every home has to adhere to the same rules or aesthetic considerations. Few things feel as right as a mid-century modern home renovation nestled amongst native trees on Victoria's Surf Coast. A post and beam home in Anglesea received a thorough renovation and revitalised interior – but it almost didn’t happen.
Anglesea House is a serene vision of Australian coastal architecture, where a restrained approach and strong connection to landscape create a timeless retreat. A simple palette informed by its surrounds allows the fuss free abode to merge with its environment, whilst remaining a shining example of its movement and era. What began as a renovation ultimately became a complete reimagining of the classic home, preserving its original spirit while improving functionality and liveability.
The project was taken on by Matt Goodman Architecture Office with the intention of retaining the original structure, but due to significant structural deficiencies - rot and leaks - necessitated a near-total rebuild, preserving only the slab and two brick walls. There wasn’t really a question of which direction to take at this point – the mid-century style ran deep – but if it was going to be all new then why not take the opportunity to enhance the home’s original character and correct past design flaws while improving the indoor-outdoor connection?
“It was one of those jobs that I nearly missed. I was just scrolling through my spam folder one day and I found an email from a client saying, ‘If you're not interested, just let me know,’” laughs Goodman. “I’d missed a couple and was definitely very sorry. I was off on that foot!”
Making good, Goodman met the clients, and “they were brilliant to work with, I saw the house, it was amazing. The whole process flowed. We found a builder straight away without going to tender. He had a whole crew of local carpenters and trades. Everybody was super happy to be a part of the project.”
Guided by the L-shaped floorplan (and a couple of brick walls) MGAO raised the ceiling and reoriented the roof of the second wing to match the rafters of the main building.
“Once we knocked down stage two and rotated the roof so that it had the same ribcage everywhere, that’s what unlocked it. I set the rule of wall and rafters to align, and we would keep the original structural grid, so there’d be no misalignments,” remembers Goodman. New windows were installed throughout with “aluminium frames as thin as possible. It’s what makes the place feel special.”
With light pouring in, colours and tones were chosen to reflect the landscape of Anglesea and the Moonah trees that twist and distort, turning the backyard into a natural sculpture garden. Pale brick walls and off-white timber panelling reinforce the home's connection to its surroundings, creating the seamless indoor-outdoor living experience that defines contemporary Australian homes.
“That’s where the colour comes from” says Goodman, referring to the surrounding trees, “and the Blackbutt hardwood used throughout connects the interior to the surrounding vegetation."
Once inside though and MGAO has created a calming background to everyday life. Soft, warm whites and gentle earth tones never jostle for attention but feel part of a whole.
The exacting lines of the exterior are matched by the precise nature of the interior joinery, nodding to the quality if the trades on this project. Goodman chose Laminex Ash White to complement the coastal palette, using the warm white décor throughout the kitchen, bathroom and laundry to create cohesive custom joinery and cabinetry. The yellow based white, with a hint of grey reinforced the architect’s ‘nothing takes the front’ philosophy.
“Using [Laminex] in this way, and joinery like this, is all about keeping the rhythm; the cupboards are all equal, and the joinery walls, they’re all background to the main space, but when you actually do look at them, they’re beautiful in their own right, but it’s not a feature, which is the thing I’m always trying to avoid.”
It’s not all minimal though, and even Goodman admits to adding some details to stop it from becoming too much so. Case in point are the fridge/freezer handles that feature Laminex Ash White handles that he says “is a little detail on a big wall that stops it from become too minimal – it’s all still there, but it’s not a focal point.”
A Shaker-ish kind of timber detail borders the island and benchtop, the panels below hide storage and mimic the design language established by the overhead cupboards at the galley.
The choice of Laminex Ash White feels effortless, particularly in this context where full height windows receive the elements all year-round. Whereas stark white would jar with the home and its sense of calm, MGAO’s use of Laminex Ash White is neutral and warm, working with the landscape and whatever interior decoration the owners may choose to add.
The project has appeared in publications and online around the world. It has been shortlisted for awards, and seems to resonate with everyone who comes into contact with it. Sometimes the stars align and sometimes you need a follow up email to remind you of that, but then, you’re good to go.
“It was a dream job to be honest,” recalls Goodman, “one of those – when the stars align – you can do something pretty good.”
Anglesea House is a compelling example of how a thoughtful mid-century renovation can honour the original architecture while adapting it for contemporary living. Through careful detailing, a restrained material palette and a strong connection to the landscape, Matt Goodman Architecture has created a coastal home that feels timeless, functional and distinctly Australian.
Explore MGAO's work on their website and order samples today.
Credits:
Architecture & Design: MGAO
Builder: Great Ocean Road Builders
Joinery: Higher Level
Photography: Jack Lovel
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