‘Essentially two houses in one’ is how Rosa Coy, architect and director at Coy Yiontis Architects, describes this Mornington Peninsula project. Titled ‘Seawind’, the house was designed for a couple of over 50 years, looking to live their best life in retirement.

Rather than compromising on details (as is generally required in relationships!), the house features two defined wings, providing each partner with their own personalised space. These two wings frame the home’s entrance, followed by a central courtyard, before converging in a shared living area. 

The two wings not only support each partner’s way of life (for example, one bathroom has an inbuilt bench seat and skylight, while the other has a sunken bath and garden view), but have their own material palettes. Rosa describes the ‘hers’ wing as being more prominent, airy, and clad in white steel, while the ‘his’ wing is smaller, clad in dark charcoal steel, and cosy.

Featured materials of the project include white concrete floors, spotted gum cladding for fire-resistance and sustainability, and marble tiles for practicality and ambience. ‘They reminded the clients of a home in a previous life overseas,’ says Rosa of the marble.

The entire home has been designed with consideration of ageing comfortably in place, hence the single-level floor plan. Garden areas are native and therefore easily maintainable, and can be appreciated internally from almost every room. 

‘The home is fundamentally liveable and carefully considered with regard to the idiosyncrasies of the couple that live here,’ Rosa says.