Designing with Heart on the Hill: A Mid-Century Inspired Coastal Terrace in Wye River

A sculpted, breeze-block screened terrace on a Wye River knoll —This project was co-designed by Bryce and daughter Emilia Minett, blending mid-century character with bushfire resilience and timeless Ocean Road coastal living.

Design Concept

The Client Brief:

Something Strong, Simple & Timeless

When the owners of this Wye River property approached Bryce Minett Landscaping, their vision was clear: Transform a steep, underused slope into a functional, fire-safe outdoor living space—something clean, grounded, and built to last, but still warm and welcoming. They wanted a terrace that could frame the view, feel connected to the home, and offer space for gathering without overwhelming the natural setting on this knoll-top site.

A Family Design Collaboration – Bryce & Emilia Minett

To bring the concept to life, Bryce collaborated with his daughter Emilia Minett, a talented final-year Decoration and Design degree student at RMIT. Together, they crafted a plan that paired restraint and rhythm—balancing Bryce’s build know-how with Emilia’s emerging spatial design eye.

Their process was hands-on: sketching, debating, refining—down to the angle of paving joints, the stepped height of the breeze-block wall, and the flow of movement across the slope.

The Design: A Sheltered Outdoor Room That Reveals Itself

Rather than building on top of the slope, the design cuts into the land, forming a clean-lined terrace that feels embedded, not imposed. The space opens slowly as you step outside—revealing a structured courtyard with porcelain paving, integrated bench seating, and filtered views through a mid-century style breeze-block wall.

A bridge-style link from the house creates a visual pause before arrival, while a potential shade sail offers sun cover and light rain deflection—practical, but never heavy-handed.

Design Concept

Design Highlights

• Subtle zig-zag retaining wall design – stronger and more sculptural
• Reinforced concrete structure with subsurface drainage behind cut bank
• Mid-century breeze-block screen in stepped formation for shelter and openness
• Light-coloured porcelain paving, laid diagonally to suit site orientation
• Bench & Daybed: Galvanised steel frame, clad in fireproof composite decking in variable tones
• Synthetic shade cloth: Angled for sun protection and light rain, supported by steel posts
• Firepit and planter locations for future flexibility
• Balustrade included where required, integrated into the overall composition

All materials are selected to be non-combustible, low-maintenance, and visually appropriate for bushfire-prone coastal zones.

Design Concept

Material Snapshot

• Element Detail
• Retaining Concrete zig-zag wall, waterproofed + drained
• Paving Light-toned porcelain, slip-resistant, cool underfoot
• Screen Concrete breeze blocks, stepped
• Seating Galvanised steel frame, fireproof composite decking
• Shade Synthetic cloth sail, angled for light rain deflection
• Firepit Optional, with planned clearance and safe edges

Why It Works

• Respects the site's natural shape and slope
• Creates enclosure without heaviness
• Allows for multi-functional use—lounging, dining, reflection
• Balances view access with wind protection
• Collaborative design between generations brings fresh thinking + practical wisdom

Final Thoughts

This terrace concept design is more than a paved area—it’s a crafted coastal room, designed for quiet use and slow enjoyment.

From the knoll-top site, you would feel held by the landscape, not just sitting on top of it. It’s the kind of space that reveals itself over time—that rewards you every time you use it.

Coastal outdoor living - Built with care, designed with heart.

📍 Wye River, VIC

📞 Contact Bryce Minett Landscaping to explore how we can design your ideal outdoor space—on flat land or sloped, coastal or inland.