Skip to main content

This Australian Beach House is a Modern-Day Seaside Villa

For god’s sake, don’t get a cheesy beach house in Miami… you’ll regret it.

Recommended Videos

Instead, escape across the globe to the remote Mornington Peninsula region of Victoria, Australia, where this perfect modern beach house sits unbothered by guidos or aggressive seagulls.

Designed by architects Ola Studio of Melbourne, the beach house Martha is the epitome of summer vacation houses, satisfying our need to retreat and float away for a while.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The single story, four-bedroom structure sits literally at the cusp of the water, perched in a calm and quiet nook of the Mornington Peninsula. The majority of visitors to this area are looking to escape to wineries and calm beaches, so there’s no need to fear obnoxious frat bros on your only break during the year.

The lack of housing clutter in the area allowed architects to build a horizontally expansive and robust dwelling with jaw-dropping views of the Peninsula. The sensation is one of extreme privacy, yet tremendous openness… which you won’t get with the majority of beach houses found in popular summer spots around the world.

Ola Studio built Martha on a sloped site, allowing the structure to blend into its wide landscape. The effect of this is nothing short of the illusion of floating. And this airy design seeps into your pores and gives new meaning to the term vacation. It also helps that the house was built in three zones that separate a parent’s area, kids or guest zone, and a living/kitchen space that opens up to the coastal views. This blending of intimate and social is spot freakin’ on.

And while the beach house is light, it was built strong enough to withstand the effects of its natural coastal surrounding.

Taking into account the extreme weather conditions that can hit this local, Ola Studio concealed Martha’s windows behind operable timber shutters and various screens to give the retreat all-season usability. One detail we love: when the shutters are open they can be manipulated into various framed views, letting the sunshine pour into the space from a multitude of perspectives.

We’re also drooling over the use of natural Australian timber hardwood for the external cladding and the way the sand literally meets you at the back door.

Last but not least… what’s a beach house without a pool?

Topics
Jahla Seppanen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
‘Ted Lasso’ will return for a fourth season with at least some cast members returning
The new season will apparently see Ted coaching a women's team
The cast of Ted Lasso

After years of speculation about whether Ted Lasso would be back or not, Apple TV+ has confirmed that a fourth season of Ted Lasso is on the way. The show's third season seemed like it might be a conclusion, but it seems that at least Jason Sudeikis's central character will be back, although it's unclear who from the cast of the first three seasons will be joining him.

"Ted Lasso has been nothing short of a juggernaut, inspiring a passionate fan base all over the world, and delivering endless joy and laughter, all while spreading kindness, compassion and unwavering belief," Matt Cherniss, head of Apple TV+ programming, said in a statement. "Everyone at Apple is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and the brilliant creative minds behind this show."

Read more
5 reasons why ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix is a must-watch
The series is told in four single take episodes that feel like real time
The cast of Adolescence.

Netflix makes it difficult to tell which shows are worth your time. New shows pop up every week, and discerning the good from the bad is nearly impossible. Sometimes, though, something breaks through all the noise on the server and reminds everyone what great TV can and should look like.

Adolescence, which hit the streamer on March 13, is one such show, and it's one you should definitely make time for. The series, which is just four episodes long, follows a family who find themselves confronting the unthinkable after their 13-year-old son is arrested for murdering a schoolmate. As they attempt to reckon with the fallout, they learn more about exactly what their son is accused of. Here are five reasons you should make time for this show:

Read more
8 power-packed shows like Succession to add to your watchlist
Family dramas and sarcastic societal critiques that are just like 'Succession'
Brian Cox as Logan Roy

Succession finished in 2023, but many TV diehards are still searching for an adequate replacement. This Jesse Armstrong-created drama carried HBO's legacy of quality programming for a quartet of iconic seasons. The Roy children battle inner turmoil and traumatic family relationships when their wealthy father decides to start trying out replacement CEOs for his business. Succession's gorgeous set pieces and dense characters make it feel like a Shakespearean experience updated for a modern audience. Talented actors like Jeremy Strong, Brian Cox, and many others brought a supreme script to life.

If you're like me, you miss the family drama, backstabbing, and political commentary used in Succession. In that case, you should check out these dramas and black comedies that incorporate more than a couple of the show's elements into their arsenal. Not every show on this list has three Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, but in my opinion, all of them are fantastic. You'll love these shows like Succession if you're a fan of great TV.

Read more