ARCHITECT Josh Crosbie’s treehouse-inspired home is anchored deep into the steep country above Lorne.
Floating among the coastal stringybarks, the four-bedroom 1960s beach shack has been artfully reimagined to celebrate the natural world.
Together with his wife Annie and two children, Jude and Levi, Josh relishes the location overlooking Louttit Bay, only 100 metres from the water’s edge.
Architect Josh Crosbie wanted to create an environment that was warm, calming and comfortable. Photo: Cricket Saleh
“Although it was in largely original condition, we fell in love with the layout and its potential for improvement,” Josh says.
“We’ve been careful to retain the lovely timber beams and timber internal lining so that the original character and integrity of the house is retained.”
The couple bought the coastal pad more than 10 years ago and gradually added their own touches inspired by a shared love of raw materials.
The children’s Robinson-Crusoe inspired, three-storey treehouse steals the show, complete with thatched roof and amazing water views. Photo: Jane Poynter
Josh says his approach to design is specific to each project but his favourite elements include natural textures like rammed earth, concrete, native hardwood, steel and glass.
“I also love adopting clean strong horizontal lines that sit beautifully within our vast rural landscape, or perched alongside the ocean’s horizon,” he says.
“My main inspiration comes from the raw and powerful elements that are found in the natural wilderness, specifically in the alpine mountains or along the rugged coastline down south.”
Good design elements such as plenty of natural light and sunshine in winter for passive warmth feature in the home.
A mural of bright King Parrots by local artist Loz Green lights up the main entrance. Photo: Jane Poynter
Air flow from natural ventilation, textures and colours, well-proportioned spaces and excellent inside-outside connection to the landscape also help to create an environment that’s warm, calming and comfortable.
“A really dynamic space can be very uplifting and inspirational too,” Josh says.
The sitting room is his favourite place to relax while inside the certified sustainable dwelling.
“The room is beautiful with timber lining and polished hardwood boards,” he says.
“To the rear it steps out onto our backyard which has lovely landscaping with treehouses and terraces made from granite boulders, jarrah sleepers and native plantings.
An original PH5 light fitting from the 1950s has pride of place hanging from the central exposed rafter in the sitting room. Photo: Jane Poynter
“And toward the front it looks through our open kitchen and the living room beyond, and out through the glass sliding doors onto our large front terrace which looks over the ocean.”
He says a strong sight line connects all the most important spaces in the home.
“And to top it off, an original PH5 light fitting from the 1950s has pride of place hanging from the central exposed rafter,” he says.
Outside, the children’s Robinson-Crusoe inspired, three-storey treehouse steals the show, complete with thatched roof and amazing water views.
Further on, terraces are paved with Turkish stone and a mural of bright King Parrots by local artist Loz Green lights up the main entrance.
A stone fireplace provides a striking backdrop to the main living area. Photo: Jane Poynter
Josh studied at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus and completed a double degree of architecture and construction management.
He worked with two Geelong architects while studying and after graduation was a commercial project manager on large-scale jobs in Melbourne for five years.
He started an architectural practise in Geelong which focuses on residential and small-scale commercial projects before moving his office to Lorne about seven years ago.
“We are currently working on our local school and hospital, but most of our work is with houses, both new builds and lots of renovations and extensions,” Josh says.
Jude and Levi play on the outddor rock-climbing wall. Photo: Jane Poynter
“The projects along the Surf Coast are usually quite complex with bushfire risk, land instability, planning controls, steep sites, poor access and dense vegetation.
“We now specialise in this space and enjoy working on difficult projects.”
He says working along the Surf Coast has been a wonderful opportunity to develop projects that respond to their sites and adapt to their landscapes.
“And we love adopting materials and natural textures that suit these natural and sometimes rugged environments such as rammed earth, hardwood timbers, concrete, steel and glass.”
He says his dream project would be to design a house in the high country to host family and friends.
A colourful splashback in the kitchen. Photo: Jane Poynter
“It would serve as a snow chalet during the winter and then a getaway for summer mountain bike and hiking trips away,” he says.
“It would be made with natural elements and have sprawling floor levels that cascade their way down the hillside.”
Looking forward, Josh is keen to share his love of architecture with friends, clients, builders, tradespeople, suppliers and artists in his new Pakington Street office.
“I’ve also started a new co-working space called Pako Collective to share our beautiful office,” Josh says.
A glimpse of the ocean Photo: Jane Poynter
“We’re so excited to launch this collaborative concept and create an amazing creative network hub with like-minded individuals, freelancers, designers and artists.”
You can visit Josh Crosbie Architects at the new office located at 352 Pakington Street, Newtown, or follow @joshcrosbie_architects on Instagram. For more information visit joshcrosbie.com.au