Set along a rugged stretch of the Great Ocean Road, Wild Dog is a coastal home shaped by its wild, natural surroundings. The brief called for a space that felt open, honest, and quietly connected to the landscape, taking full advantage of northern sun and dramatic ocean views.
To anchor the build against the elements, tactile rammed earth walls were used to divide the home into private sleeping quarters, bright living areas, and a secluded guest studio. These solid structural forms frame a central courtyard that stays warm and sheltered even on the windiest days. By pairing clean architectural lines with raw, grounding materials, the home rests gently into the Otway hinterland, offering an inviting front-row seat to the coastline.
Given its coastal bushland setting, the project required rigorous consideration for fire protection, with material selections and construction details carefully engineered to meet the highest BAL rating. The execution required exceptional structural precision to integrate the heavy rammed earth elements and non-combustible building materials with expansive, toughened double-glazed window systems. Every detail was planned to protect the interiors from both bushfire risk and harsh salt air, ensuring the structural integrity and thermal performance of the home remains robust and comfortable year-round. Deep eaves shade the living spaces during peak summer heat while allowing low winter sun to penetrate and warm the polished concrete floors.
Internally, the material palette leans into raw simplicity. Warm timber joinery, custom steel details, and earth-toned finishes echo the colours of the surrounding bushland, allowing the boundaries between indoors and out to dissolve. It is a home built with quiet confidence, standing resilient against the coastal atmosphere while offering a peaceful, sun-soaked retreat inside.
“We had found the perfect location, a brilliant design and, thanks to our architect’s recommendation, the perfect builders. They kept us informed and involved throughout the whole long complicated process, providing suggestions and refinements that enhanced the final result. They gave the kind of above and beyond support that makes our house not just special but really amazing. The attention to detail was a key feature of the team’s work. Nothing was too much trouble; the whole team’s focus was on delivering an outstanding result. Which they did. We could not be happier or more appreciative of all the aspects of their work, and our beautiful home.”
- Helen, owner of Wild Dog