Coastal architecture

Elizabeth River Project, a growing non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Elizabeth River, has developed a brand-new, nationally-recognized “Resilience Lab” in the rapidly redeveloping North Colley neighborhood. The focus of the project is to demonstrate accessible, approachable methods of resilience and sustainability for the homeowner, developer, or small business owner.  Yuzhu Zheng Yuzhu Zheng Yuzhu Zheng Yuzhu Zheng The new building is located on an urban site, formerly a small marina and social club, situated between bustling Colley Avenue and Knitting Mill Creek. The river-facing site has been redeveloped with a living shoreline replacing the aging bulkhead,... More

Goa’s popular coastal restaurant Kiki–by the Sea has revealed an exciting new chapter in its story with the unveiling of a beautifully designed first-floor extension. The project, which blends tropical elegance with whimsical design details, was masterfully executed by Sangrah, a Goa-based interior design studio led by Shreeya Singh. This second phase of Kiki offers patrons a captivating blend of coastal charm, tranquil aesthetics, and a seamless connection with nature. Anish Padalkar [APStudioworks] Kiki–by the Sea is more than just a restaurant—it’s a design marvel that takes full advantage of its spectacular location, with expansive views of the bay and river. This unique coastal property is a refreshi... More

Presenting the Torquay Garden House by Lifespaces Group—a Geelong-based builder crafting exclusive designs in collaboration with Australia’s foremost architects. Nestled along Victoria’s Surf Coast, this project is from the Auhaus Release by Melbourne-based Auhaus Architecture. Nikole Ramsay Nikole Ramsay The home's standout façade is a composition of copper, brick and timber. Over time,the copper’s surface will develop a natural patina, transitioning from deep brown toweathered blue, eventually acquiring a greenish tone. This natural transformationoccurs in response to the coastal environment, protecting the metal beneath. Nikole Ramsay Nikole Ramsay Central to the design is a private co... More

Undulating and nestled into the coastal landscape, this dwelling in the Mornington Peninsula is a family compound designed for rest and play. Timothy Kaye Located on a large and rare block in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Coastal Compound is a private residence primed for life along the coast. We wanted a singular and pure form that hugged the natural contours set deep into the site to capture the sun year-round. To achieve this, we worked the levels of the house to the specific topography of the site. Timothy Kaye For the positioning of the double-storey dwelling, Carr oriented the home around an existing Moonah tree, which was unfortunately lost during a storm within the first year of the project’s development.... More

Flashback to 2011 when the Millers lived in a 570sf beach cottage on a narrow lot.  We created a budget-friendly expansion by stretching the simple form, and they happily lived there for nearly a decade. When the family grew, they found a property in the same coastal community, a stepping stone from the last. The transition was easy for the kids because the last home inspired the new design. Ian Patzke What once was a simple form on a narrow lot became side-by-side forms on a wider lot. The stairwell in between separates private and public spaces and acts as a lightwell and thermal chimney to let hot air escape through skylights. We focused on low-maintenance materials that could withstand proximity to the ocean. Ian Patzke... More

That natural California vibe is imbedded inside and outside this home. It’s designed like a sun box – meaning you can see all the way through it from the front entry to the water. Even the stairway is designed so that sunlight dances throughout. It’s clean, coastal, contemporary. Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Caption   More

The "Twin Houses" is a residential concept inspired by ancient architecture and responding to contemporary human needs. Caption Caption In the town of Ericeira there is a problem, we are over building the coast. Therefore the implantation is conceived to build less than what the local municipality allows, meaning more green area and less consumption of soil, the houses are two identical volumes with 450 sqm footprint each, and sits at different levels to adapt with the topograpny of the terrain. Caption Caption The heights have been meticolously calculated not to obstruct ocean views of the neighbours and at the same time being at the top of the topography of the land to get the most of the stunning ocean views. Ca... More

Within the topography of Betty’s Bay, between mountain and ocean sits the Dune House. The natural ecology of this locale is sensitive, both to disturbances which have occurred over the past few decades through indiscriminate building practices and through the windswept local climate. This was the datum upon which this house grew, and the resultant decision made right from the beginning to create a building with two defining moments. Paris Brummer Paris Brummer Firstly, a distinctive roofscape was conceived to provide protection from the prevailing wind conditions, which during the summer months arrive strongly from the seaward aspect (SE) while in winter these come from over the mountain (NW). The curved apex of the roofsca... More

The magnificent site of this substantial alteration was previously occupied by an uninspiring face brick and fibre cement laslappie house in typical South African beach house parlance. Damien Schumann The proximity of the ocean to the south and Kogelberg Biosphere Mountains to the north, together with the existing vegetation and climatic considerations provided the parameters that would ultimately arrange the new house, both in terms of spatial organisation and material expression.  Damien Schumann The bedrooms on the western side of the site, together with some existing vegetation form one edge of a new courtyard, protected from the southeast wind by the existing garage and a new entrance walkway. Damien Schumann The... More

Deeply passionate about sustainable and low impact living, the owners of Sailor’s House had a singular vision; to create a contemporary home that produces enough renewable energy to achieve net zero carbon emissions. Brett Charles Photography The result is a beautifully crafted, unassuming, environmentally responsible building that blends into its setting next to a Grade II Listed church in a quiet coastal town. Brett Charles Photography All elements of the design concept, orientation and architectural detailing were influenced by the integration of sustainable building solutions, whilst also taking inspiration from the owners’ other passion for sailing and life on the water. The home needed to provide flexible space... More

Boasting an incredible yet highly exposed setting on the South Coast, Waterside is a seaside home reimagined for modern living, with a distinctive contemporary aesthetic. Brett Charles Photography  A key objective was to strike a balance between opening up the home to enjoy the 180-degree ocean views and create a sense of drawing the sea in, whilst also providing calm, cocooning spaces that act as a retreat for the owners. A deep house, layouts have been carefully planned to maximise natural light, particularly on the ground floor which is home to the owner’s artist’s studio. Brett Charles Photography Natural, deeply textured materials used throughout add a great sense of warmth and intimacy to the spaces, A hon... More

Working together with a passionate car collector who owns a rural estate we have finished the design of two spaces for the growing collection of vintage and contemporary automobiles. Formed by two vaulted grid-shells in steel and glass that are nestled into the hillside, the exhibition spaces are part of a sequence of pavilions set into the extensive landscaped grounds. The tree cover and rolling hills of the context make them a distinguished and crystalline presence in nature. We were approached by a fellow classic car enthusiast to visit his car collection which is located in an old family estate on the coast. He is a passionate collector of automobiles and other technological objects and wanted to replan the storage and use of the groun... More