The experience here is elemental, with minimal interference from man-made structures. It’s just you, the sky, and the sound of rolling surf through the trees.
Rob Mills
Ocean House was designed by Rob Mills as a personal retreat for family and friends, a place where architecture quietly supports the experience of living within one of Victoria's most extraordinary coastal landscapes. Set upon a dramatically steep site in Lorne, the residence responds directly to its surroundings, balancing protection from the elements with an enduring connection to the ocean, forest and sky.
Two contrasting architectural forms define the home. A robust cylindrical concrete volume anchors the residence against the hillside, sheltering private sleeping quarters from the prevailing weather, while a lightweight linear pavilion opens generously towards the landscape. Together they create an architecture that feels both grounded and transparent, offering protection when required and openness whenever possible.
Ocean House reminds me that the most meaningful homes are those that deepen our connection to nature, to family and ultimately to ourselves.
– Rob Mills
Ocean House was conceived to bring people together. Designed to function as either a single residence or two independent apartments, the home comfortably accommodates multiple families while preserving moments of privacy and retreat.
Natural materials establish a quiet dialogue with the surrounding landscape. Soft tactile fabrics, handcrafted finishes and warm neutral tones draw inspiration from the bark of the surrounding rainforest and the colours of the coastline beyond. Carefully curated furnishings by leading Australian and international designers reinforce the sense that every element belongs, creating interiors that feel timeless, authentic and deeply personal.
Ocean House has become one of RMA's most celebrated residences, recognised nationally and internationally for its thoughtful response to place. More than an award-winning home, it represents the practice's enduring philosophy that architecture and interiors should be conceived as one, creating places that enrich everyday life through a profound connection with land, climate and nature.
Healthy Living has always been fundamental to Ocean House. Fresh ocean air, natural light, geothermal energy, hydronic heating and carefully considered environmental design work quietly in the background, creating a home that is both comfortable and highly efficient throughout the seasons. More importantly, the residence supports a way of living centred on movement, nature, family and wellbeing. It demonstrates that true longevity is measured not only by the durability of a building, but by its enduring ability to enrich the lives of those who return to it year after year.
The furniture at Ocean House needed the same strength of character and independence as the architecture itself. Conventional pieces would never have felt at home here. Sculptural furniture was selected to hold its own within the powerful geometry of the residence, from the floating sofa to the freestanding round Molteni bed within the circular master bedroom. Each piece becomes part of the architecture, reinforcing the individuality of the home while creating places for family and friends to gather, retreat and simply enjoy being there.
Every project begins with the land. This remarkable site, perched between the forest and the sea, presented both extraordinary opportunity and considerable challenge. Rather than imposing itself upon the landscape, the residence allows the qualities of the site to shape every decision, creating architecture that belongs naturally to its surroundings and strengthens the experience of living within them.
Ocean House is more than a residence; it is the purest expression of Rob Mills' design philosophy. Every decision reflects principles that continue to guide the practice today: respect for exceptional land, healthy living, enduring design, authentic materials and architecture that quietly enriches everyday life. It is both a family home and a lasting reminder that the most meaningful design begins with understanding how we truly want to live.
Sustainability begins with creating buildings that can endure. Ocean House sits within a harsh marine environment where hot, dry summers and the ever-present threat of bushfire demand resilience as much as beauty. Non-combustible materials, automated fire sprinkler systems connected to substantial water supplies and diesel generators have been integrated into the design to give the residence every chance of survival in a bushfire. A home designed to remain standing, protecting the people and memories within it for generations, represents one of the most meaningful expressions of sustainability.
