A relaxing beach haven, enhancing the iconic Australian experience of sand, surf and extended family gatherings, through dynamic spatial and environmental relationships. Careful attention paid to the creation of a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces/rooms in which to experience different aspects of beachside living.
The vision was to rebuild an outdated beachfront weekender, constructing a new ‘home’ where the couple could embark on their new chapter after retirement.
Placemaking is an ethos of our practice. The proposed design embodies our interpretation of experiencing life at the beach in all its forms and is manifested in tangible, intimate spaces.
Two wings enclose a central courtyard featuring a firepit and a spa. Internal rooms extend out to terraces and roof gardens, facilitating a seamless transition between the outdoors + indoors. Roof gardens are inspired by the surrounding nature of the dune, lifting the ground and inviting the outdoor into internal space. Connecting the wings is a circulation spine: a semi-indoor corridor breezeway provides a visual connection from the street to the ocean and serves as a pathway, guiding the inhabitant on a spatial journey.
Passive climatic design strategies (orientation, winter solar penetration, screening, thermal mass and cross ventilation) result in stable indoor temperatures, requiring minimal use of heating and cooling.
Both bore and rainwater are harvested for reuse. Low VOC and non-toxic materials and finishes, hydronic floor heating and ventilation ensure a healthy indoor environment. Careful lighting sculpts space and accentuates textural qualities of materials.
The design enriches the lives of its inhabitants by seamlessly accommodating their diverse needs and lifestyles. House caters perfectly to their dynamic living arrangements, offering a tranquil retreat (Wing B), while entertaining guests (Wing A), the design effortlessly adapts. The central courtyard + breezeway serves as a connecting hub, fostering a sense of togetherness while providing privacy when needed. This flexibility allows inhabitants to navigate through the various spaces depending on weather and time of day, ensuring there's always a suitable spot to bask in the sun or seek shelter from seabreezes, enhancing their overall quality of life.
Situated amidst beachfront dunes, the design is rooted in its natural context. Rather than mimicking the form of the distant waves, the undulating roof takes its cue from the adjacent dunes, hugging the ground line, as does the continuation of the colours and textures of the internal palette reference the warm soft pink sand and the deep green of the dune vegetation, resulting in a blurring of inside and out, increasing the sense of tranquility of place. The roof gardens not only elevate the ground but also integrate nature into the internal space. This intentional design fosters a continuous dialogue with the coastal landscape.
Divided into two wings surrounding a courtyard, rooms seamlessly extend to terraces and gardens, blurring the distinction between indoors and outdoors. The roof gardens not only elevate the ground but also integrate nature into the internal space. Purposefully tailored to the site, spaces serve distinct functions: the front garden and Wing A welcome guests, while the courtyard serves as a focal point for gatherings. Wing B and the ocean garden offer a private retreat facing the beach. This intentional design fosters a continuous dialogue with the coastal landscape.
