A brief by developer Karen Vosjan of Sealounge to designers Ramon Pleysier and Simon Perkins of Pleysier Perkins Pty Ltd, was a simple one: to devise a house that can be used as a template for appropriate, contemporary and environmentally sensitive development for the Mornington Peninsula area.
The response is a pure box divided into two halves. The first half is a transparent public zone for living, eating and entertaining and the second, linear zone is a private one for sleeping and washing. Environmental harmony - including choice of materials, colours, introduced vegetation and consideration of views were all paramount to the design concept.
The result sees a Pleysier Perkins design with distinct linearity that contrasts with the soft dunes and prevailing vegetation of the Peninsula area. In fact, the tree trunks of both the Moonah and Tea Tree growing in abundance in the area provided the inspiration for the colour choice. The colour-Coal (IDNo.62), one of the latest additions to the vast colour palette now available at Wood-Mans (Australian Forest Products ), has provided a real association between nature and design. The colour transforms chameleon-like depending on the light and the prevailing weather and harmonises perfectly with the vegetation and the Port Phillip Bay vista.
This semi transparent water borne coating provides protection against the elements whilst enhancing, rather than concealing, the natural timber grain of the rough sawn plywood cladding, Shadowclad Groove - previously known as Ecoply Shadowclad.
The commitment by Pleysier Perkins to achieve the objectives provided by their client Sealounge, is clearly apparent in every sense. Sealounge now have plans underway to market this concept on the Mornington Peninsula. Designs with flexible floor plans and other customized modifications can be embraced to suit individual requirements. And, I’m sure we’ll all agree, a responsible approach to design that empathises with the environment should be embraced.
