Premier Melbourne luxury home builder, Mazzei, has unveiled Pippins, an exemplary residential project that gracefully embodies principles of environmental sensitivity and elegant simplicity in collaboration with multi-award-winning Melbourne-based practice, Webster Architecture & Interiors.
Originally an apple orchard named Pippins, the 800 sqm residential property is set against the backdrop of a windswept hillside in Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula, finding identity between a city pad and a coastal oasis.
Standing as a testament to thoughtful design and meticulous execution, the home blends harmoniously with its seaside surroundings while making a bold architectural statement.
Guided by the client's vision of unobstructed ocean views from every aspect and protection from the elements, Mazzei and Webster approached the project with a dual focus: creating a structure that is both transparent and resilient.
Designed by Webster, the home's X-shaped layout maximises exposure to the surrounding panoramic vistas, while simultaneously creating sheltered outdoor spaces, naturally protected by the building's form.
"The X-shaped plan exposes the built form to all facets. Every side of the home is viewable to emphasise the most striking features of this project, aside from the stunning views of Western Point Bay and rolling green hills," says Zeb Woodhatch, Director at Mazzei.
The X-shaped floor plan further defines the home's internal zoning, creating four distinct areas adaptable to the client's needs for intimate family gatherings or large-scale entertaining.
The inclusion of circulation spaces as an art gallery further enhances the home's functionality, allowing the client's extensive 40-piece art collection to be displayed and appreciated throughout the space.
"Our family has a passion for both Indigenous and contemporary Australian art spanning 35 years. We briefed the architect to provide hanging space with suitable lighting for our 40-piece art collection so we could enjoy its beauty all year round," says the client and owner of Pippins.
Central to the home's design is the innovative "flying roof" concept, inspired by Californian desert architecture and characterised by two overlapping solid concrete roofs that cantilever two and a half metres along the perimeter, extending to three and a half metres at the corners.
With its tapered 100mm bullnose edge, this architectural feature imparts a sense of lightness and elegance, underscoring the home's minimalist aesthetic.
“Coming from a larger residence in Toorak, Melbourne, we wanted to downsize into a single-story build. We briefed the project team to encompass a house that was able to be lived in while we worked, and when all bedrooms were occupied with family members. This objective dictated the design of the heating, layout, interaction of spaces, and the provision of privacy,” says the client.
Upon arrival, the full scale of the home is unclear as the sculpted contours of the land leave only the roof in sight.
“We didn’t want the whole house to be seen from the road, so positioning the house slightly lower than the site’s crest was a strategic choice. This placement allowed integration with the landscape and meant the home didn’t sit proudly on the natural topography,” says Dan Webster, Founding Director of Webster Architecture & Interiors.
In keeping with Mazzei and Webster's commitment to sustainability, the new home was strategically sited at the same level as the previous structure, minimising environmental impact and preserving the natural topography. All earth-moving activities were carried out using onsite soil, eliminating the need for external resources and ensuring the home's seamless integration with the landscape.
Collaboration with the landscape architect, Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture, was key in achieving a smooth transition from the house to the garden and the untouched environment beyond.
"Red Hill is a cold environment, and the house is designed to act as a heat bank, which is proving very effective. It's also an extremely windy environment, and the design provides multiple areas for sheltered entertaining and leisure activities. The house is zoned incredibly well and allows for flexible entertainment.
"Pippins has exceeded our expectations in terms of the quality of life delivered. It's aesthetically beautiful and incredibly practical, ensuring each room takes advantage of the panoramic rural and ocean views," says the client.
The success of this project is a result of the close collaboration between Mazzei, Webster and the client, with a shared commitment to preserving the simplicity of the architectural design.
The complex structural engineering challenges, particularly those related to the solid concrete roof, were met with ingenuity and precision, resulting in a home that not only meets the client's needs but exceeds their expectations.
