Gimme shelter

Designed by Alex Urena, Alex Urena Design Studio

From the building designer:

Design brief & rationale

Backing onto a reserve, and with outstanding ocean views, the brief for this project was to design a single storey residence maximising views, while also being protected from the southeast coastal winds.

The resulting design is based around a private open courtyard as the centre of the house and with direct ocean views through the living areas.

The house presents a very discrete approach towards the street, with low scale and seamless lines, combining a contrasting black charred façade surrounded with a white envelope and hardwood details.

Since the bedrooms are located closer to the street, the central courtyard is visible as you open the front door, creating an inviting focal point towards the back, where the living areas are located. 

The courtyard is purposely shifted towards the east side, providing great natural light into the house, counteracting the corridor feel into the living areas.

Both living areas and study are located on either side of the courtyard, with the living areas being on the ocean side with direct views out.

The house is recessed away from the east boundary to create a natural outdoor floor towards the yard, and to provide breathing space to the courtyard and enhance its open appeal.

From a mass volume point of view, the rear part of the building – designed with an off-centre ridge, hosting the living areas – is a volume contrast to the discrete scale on the street side. 

Living areas within that part of the building enjoy a raked off-centre ceiling, mimicking the ridge above it.

Designed by: Alex Urena Design Studio

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Nat Spadavecchia