Madeline Gundry

PORTAL HOUSE

The Portal House explores the thresholds of living collaboratively through the proposal of a dual family household. Comfortably embedded on the hilltops of the Yarra River, within a contemporary suburban development that prioritises the experience on foot and deeply connecting visitors with the land.

An emphasis is placed on responding to indigenous principles and embedding within the local landscape, with inspiration taken from a series of indigenous symbols. The key structural element of the humpy, a traditional aboriginal shelter is referenced through the repeated portal frames, that increase in intensity to reflect the level of privacy of programmes within.

The spatial arrangement of the home is situated around the identification of four programmes of daily life, ranging from private and public spheres. These programs are separated into different clusters, consisting of Work, Feed, Play and Sleep & Wash, with an emphasis placed on the transitions between these stages of the day.

Within the clusters, multilevel, adjustable, and functional indoor-outdoor spaces are included.  The two families have their own level for the most intimate moments of living and for retreat from communal living, whilst working spaces blur private and public space. Integrated roof terraces and gardens ensure a connection to the landscape.

360° Masterplan Tour