Butterfly House
Butterfly House
The Butterfly House, Apollo Bay (in-progress)
Set within the gentle slopes above Apollo Bay, Butterfly House is shaped by its site — folding inward at the centre to capture northern light, while opening out at either end to embrace mountain and ocean views. The design balances privacy and openness, form and function — a coastal retreat that quietly connects to its landscape.
A central entry spine, marked by a double-height rammed earth wall and stair, divides the plan into four distinct zones across two levels. To the east, the Living, Dining, and Kitchen spaces unfold toward the protected waters of the bay, opening onto a large deck and outdoor BBQ area. To the west, the Master Bedroom, Ensuite, Office, and Guest Wing are arranged around a north-facing terrace and pool, with long views back to the hills.
At ground level, the children’s bedrooms, Rumpus, Gym, and Bathroom are positioned along the ocean side, grounded into the landscape. Below the western wing, a triple garage with EV charging, storage, cellar, and laundry sit discreetly within the slope, maintaining a low profile to the street. Timber screens along the south-west provide shade and privacy, filtering light and limiting exposure to the summer sun.
Materially, the home is both resilient and refined. Rammed earth walls form a grounding base that the dwelling appears to grow from, while painted compressed sheet cladding defines the upper volumes. A 20kW photovoltaic array with Tesla battery storage and rainwater harvesting ensures the home moves toward self-sufficiency.
Still under construction, the steel frame now traces the home's unfolding form — with the remaining elements, including the ensuite structure and shaded louvre bays, to follow. The rammed earth walls are already rising, forming a plinth that anchors the home to its site and softens the scale of the two-storey volume above.
A layered and thoughtful response to its coastal setting, Butterfly House is beginning to emerge — a home that looks out, folds in, and gently settles into the land.
