NATURAL TRANSITION

Living by the sea is something that most people aspire to at some stage in their lives. The appeal of waking to the sound of waves on the shore, and being able to walk on the sand and swim in the surf any time you want, makes the idea of living at the beach almost irresistible.

The down side, of course, is that this kind of environment can quickly take its toll on buildings. The corrosive effect of salt-spray, strong winds, the harshness of sand underfoot and the unpredictability of the weather can all contribute to permanent damage.

When the owners of this seaside property built their home, they put careful consideration into the materials and finishes used for both the interior and the exterior.

Architect Graham Pitts says the owners' brief was for a large house, with lots of character, to be in tune with its environment.

"The idea was to make the house gutsy, as it sits on the top of a flattened hill," he says.

Owner and builder Mike Wood says he wanted the house to look earthy, so he used natural materials where possible.

"The weather can be very harsh here, so it had to be strong enough to stand up to the extreme conditions," he says.

The two-storey house is set back on the site for privacy, and is shaped like the bow of a ship at the front.

"This is solely for wind deflection, so when it's blowing, the windows and doors at the side of the house don't get battered," says Pitts. "The pitched roof also deflects strong winds and helps the building fit into the landscape. As your eye runs up the hill, the roof provides continuity by completing the crown of the dune," says Pitts.

The owners sourced some of the materials themselves, including the slate roof tiles, which were previously on a college hall. Some of the ceiling rafters came from the local surf club. The exterior walls are earth brick. These are not lined on the interior, ensuring the natural look continues throughout the house.

Story by: Trendsideas