Two Parts House By Sonelo Architects
Sonelo Architects explore a thoughtful take on multigenerational coastal living on the Victoria Peninsula—where two distinct volumes are shaped by context, flexibility, and a considered sense of permanence.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos PIER CARTHEW Build ONGARELLO Landscape PEACHY GREEN
“We wanted to create a calm and effortless home to support the family daily activities.”
“The two parts are connected by a glazed link that frames the garden view on one side and the park view on the other. ”
Set on Boonwurrung Country in Mornington, Victoria, Two Parts House by Sonelo Architects reimagines multigenerational living through a finely tuned architectural lens. Designed as a permanent home for a young family, the project is defined by two offset volumes — one for daily life, the other for retreat and guests.
‘The idea of “two parts” is a response to the programmatic requirement within our client’s design brief,’ says Wilson Tang, Sonelo director. ‘They would like an autonomous space for her overseas parents to stay with them for a good period of time. We designate one part for their everyday family needs and the other for hosting guests/retreat.’
Positioned obliquely, the two volumes are joined by a glazed link that frames both the internal courtyard and the public park opposite. This connecting space acts as both threshold and outlook—softening the transition between volumes while visually anchoring the house to its site.
‘Separating and aligning the two parts to the respective side boundary, architecturally it allows us to maximise the potentials of the irregular size block,’ Wilson explains. ‘The two parts hug the landscape. Keeping the footprint of the parts ‘skinny’ maximises daylight admission… [and] being autonomous means the secondary part can be shut off completely when not in use and reducing the energy consumption.’
The material palette references local vernacular coastal architecture, with zincalume skillion roofs, painted bagged brickwork and weatherboard cladding. Though there are no ocean views, the design takes cues from its context through its relationship to site, orientation and vegetation.
‘Our approach to the Two Parts House is designing a multi-generation permanent family suburban house that is connected with its context; local flora, fauna, climate, and neighbourhood,’ says Wilson. ‘A place to restore, nourish, and build memories.’
Internally, the house is arranged around functional zones. The main living volume accommodates kitchen, dining, laundry and living spaces on the ground floor, with bedrooms above. ‘On a daily basis, they will mainly use the main part,’ Wilson shares. ‘In the daytime, they will flow within the ground floor living zone, where the kitchen, laundry/mudroom, dining, and family room are clustered. As evening dawns, they retreat to the bedrooms on the upper level.’
The secondary volume flexes between uses—a guest wing, cabana, or snug—and can be closed off entirely when not in use. As a whole, Two Parts House reflects a measured approach to family living: connected to place, adaptable by design.
