The City Beach House, designed for a young family, responds to a brief for contemporary lifestyle combining entertaining, family living and sanctuary. The plan form is deliberately spread out over the large suburban block, meandering through the site to describe a series of internal and external spaces. As one moves from the street, through the site, there is a gradual and considered increase in the level of privacy.

The house, although fairly modest from the street, unfolds and enlarges as it is experienced for the first time. The front of the site was raised slightly to keep floor level above the road and give the single storey format more presence. The garage is set back, set down, and partially screened to reduce its impact from the street. .
The combination of natural and durable materials gives a modern feel, slightly softened. The notion of an increasing privacy as one move into the site generated some of the ideas expressed in built form. The feature limestone wall on the street facade partly screens the garage, provides and notional gateway and partial separation to the entry court and softens the approach with the natural material. The garage and master bedroom provided the next separating element between public and private space and this was to be a significant separation. Once beyond this point you are completely separated from the street. The kid’s bedroom wing provided the final separation between the main courtyard and the kids ‘backyard cricket’ lawn. 

PUBLISHED

Houses magazine - Issue 40

Book - Top 100 Houses fron Downunder - Images Publishing Group