Coastal home

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

The sweeping organic form of Bemmersyde Brighton responds to its coastal location, the surrounding landscape and the gentle curvature of the cul-de-sac in which it’s located. Shannon McGrath Shannon McGrath Soft and sculptural architecture complements warm interiors, featuring a sophisticated natural palette which amplifies the sense of place. Shannon McGrath Shannon McGrath Shannon McGrath Shannon McGrath Shannon McGrath The design takes its cue from the eclectic character of Brighton and the lush gardens of neighbouring homes, while each of the ten apartments enjoy airy, light and bright spaces, garden retreats and extensive landscaping for retreat and contemplation. Shannon McGrath More

For some years a Sydney-based family had enjoyed their holidays in a tiny pre-fabricated house on the beachfront lot but had finally outgrown it. They wanted to improve the accommodation and take better advantage of the opportunities of the location and aspect while retaining a relaxed, simple pattern of inhabiting the site.The design response was to retain the open, exposed, and windswept nature of the site, and to allow the envelope of the house to provide privacy, security, and protection from the elements, literally the house as a fence. Prue Ruscoe Prue Ruscoe The desire for a modest and unassuming presentation to the street drove the idea of the house as an object which had weathered in place in the dunes. The slanted roof... More

Renovation of two houses on the same plot. Each with a somewhat different aesthetic, but clearly 'related'. We created levels of privacy through the positioning of windows, entrances and white wooden dividers. The materiality of both houses is re-used, especially when it comes to the exterior. The covered terrace we created on the back of the main house is supported by a brick fire place and has exposed structural beams and supports; a design feature also seen in the interior of the houses. Caption Caption The front house is connected to the street and has an open plan kitchen and living space, with enough storage and a mudroom. Materiality was a focus in working with the clients. Adding colour, warmth and openness throughout the... More

The home is an understated, richly textured four bedroom coastal weekend residence surrounded by vineyards. It is sited on a natural escarpment to retain the vineyards as a significant landscape feature. The plan is divided into three segments that gently twist and pivot along a line in the landscape. Beds and rumpus to the south, entry and guest bedroom in the middle and living spaces with master bedroom to the north, all running along the natural ridgeline of the site. The linear plan is also arranged to maximise cross flow ventilation to passively cool rooms in summer. Its undulations also afford sheltered outdoor spaces from prevailing winds. The building is primarily single storey, however the volume rises to the north to allow a me... More

At the first inspection, the large apartment located on the top floor of a building from the sixties appeared as a collection of large rooms where time had stood still; a dark and dismal environment despite the spaciousness, not only because of the winter light. The challenge was launched: to divide the large housing unit to obtain two units that, with half the space but multiplied light and functionality (without making changes to existing window surfaces!), conveyed through every detail the privileged feeling of staying at the beach. This project describes the unity that, organized in just 55 gross sqm, through the use of lines, colors and assembled surfaces to expand the spatiality, accompanies the visitor all the way from the entrance o... More

Located opposite McCrae beach on the Mornington Peninsula, McCrae House 1 & 2 were designed with the intention for each home to have a unique street presence, and simultaneously appear in balance.   The adjacent layouts are individual to each home, with consideration given to creating absolute privacy through staggered outdoor areas and thoughtful screening. Fluid functionality is experienced throughout the homes’ interiors, where warm palettes and strong forms echo the front facades. McCrae House 1 & 2 are the ultimate in relaxed coastal living.   Commissioned to achieve great design & a quality build outcome, McCrae House 1 and McCrae House 2 will be for sale to astute buyers this Spring.   McCrae Ho... More

This compact, eco-friendly home on Wellington’s Kapiti Coast is made up of three simple boxes, designed in response to views — of Kapiti Island, forestry and farmland — and to climate. Two of the boxes are black-stained cedar, perfectly positioned to maximise views and shelter, and to create a sheltered courtyard. One box is dedicated to living and dining, the other to sleeping. The third box houses the garage and workshop, clad in profiled-polycarbonate — it glows in the dark when lit from within.The North-facing courtyard is protected from coastal winds, yet still enjoys views right through the living room towards the sea. Timber decking surrounds the house and provides a variety of scenarios to seek shelter depending on the prevailing we... More

Nestled in behind the sand dunes and bounded by a forest of ancient kānuka trees, this Kapiti Coast beach house favours privacy and shelter over sea views. The brief was to provide the best of indoor and outdoor living, hence the decision to position the house opening out onto a sheltered internal courtyard protected from the prevailing coastal winds. Clad in two contrasting cedar weatherboard profiles, the main house sits on one side of a glade of native trees, while a separate sleep-out provides protection and privacy from neighbours.To make your way onto the property, you must first gently push your way past the native trees to get to the front door. The owners intentionally made it this way: you move, the foliage stays where it is.The n... More

Sofia Aspe is a very famous interior design in South America. For this Villa project in Colombia she has selected our Fusiontables with very trendy and rich colors. More

One Shearwater Drive, sits comfortably into it’s coastal lookout in Mt Martha on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula. An elemental palette of materials and finishes that will weather well provides a stylish and hardy skin to the luxury within. On approach, the house hunkers down into its surrounds, ably aided by Vibe’s landscaping of the site. Visitors are greeted by a totemic rectangular form clad in black Alucobond. It has function as a garage, but could just as easily be an abstract sculpture, a geometric outcrop on the coastal terrain. This welcome is indicative of a deliberately ambiguous, understated entry.As you proceed, you pass a work sculpted in steel by Australian artist Russell Petherbridge. Onward, and in through an... More

Will Scott Will Scott   A stone gable end is the first glimpse you get of this holiday home, with an industrial chimney, dark against the grey stone. We were asked to include some elements of a New England beach house, and so green oak boarding was used together with the local stone. The building is simple in form - a neat pitched volume coupled with a generous entrance porch. This porch provides a formal entrance as well as direct access to a large mud room for drying wetsuits from surfing and muddy boots from walking the costal paths. Will Scott Will Scott Will Scott   On entering, the hall opens up to a double height space with views of the garden. The main living space is open plan, with a separate... More

On a site ruled by expansive sea, dramatic landscape and variable climate, the design directive for this private coastal retreat was simple: the homeowners wanted to keep it that way. Bora pared away the external architecture leaving a thick slab of grassy coast floating above glass walls. From the road, the roof visually extends the landscaped plane into the horizon. Inside the two-story 3,300sf glass box reveals the dramatic edge where the forest meets the coast.Boora organized the interior of the home on the central core so that exterior walls would remain free. As a result, 360º unimpeded views of the ocean, the beach, the sky and the forest saturate all living spaces. The kitchen, a bathroom and storage are pulled into the core. A shel... More

Situated in a wonderfully desolate, once-industrial landscape, Camel Quarry House sits above the shores of the Camel Estuary in Cornwall, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.   Its form is simple – a rugged exterior faces the quarry and estuary and a smoother façade looks out on to the more sheltered, rural landscape behind. The living area is on the uppermost floor, making the most of the extraordinary views, with a connecting terrace to spill out onto when the weather is fine. Jim Stephenson Jim Stephenson Jim Stephenson We decided to photograph the house again, 15 years after construction, curious to see how it has settled into its surroundings, both inside and out.   The external slate walls... More