Cape Schanck by mckimm

Cape Schanck House by mckimm is a quiet coastal retreat on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, positioned for seclusion yet opened wide to the expansive outlook across The National Golf Club and the ocean beyond.

Set high on a steep, sandy site and buffered by native vegetation, the home holds a protective stance within the landscape, offering a sense of shelter without surrendering the horizon.

Inside, a dark-toned timber palette sets the mood with a grounded warmth that mirrors the surrounding terrain. This timber language is carried through key moments of the interior, most notably across the underside of a wave-like roof that cantilevers overhead in a sculptural gesture. The ceiling’s undulating form gives volume to the living, kitchen and dining area, drawing the eye upward while echoing the contours of the coastal topography.

Glazing is treated as an instrument of immersion rather than spectacle. Full-height openings frame the view as a constant companion to daily life, while a highlight window introduces a second register of light, shifting attention from the sea to the sky. Within this restrained envelope, curated furniture and finely resolved architectural detailing bring softness and tactility, giving the interiors a sophisticated ease suited to extended stays.

Outdoor spaces are composed as protected rooms in the open air, oriented toward the water and nestled into the site’s natural folds. A pool, living zone and barbecue area sit within this sheltered precinct, offering comfort against the elements while maintaining a direct connection to the outlook. Elevated on board piers, the pool occupies level one as a freestanding structure, lifted clear of the ground so its edge can act as a safety barrier without interrupting the view. Dark ceramic tiles deepen the water’s surface, catching sharp reflections of the sky and vegetation and lending the pool a calm, mirror-like presence.

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