Simply unassuming

Constructed from conventional and economical materials, this seaside home is designed for year-round comfort and protection from the elements

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In many fields, and not only architecture, designs with innate simplicity often prove the most popular and lasting. Yet ironically, simplicity can be as difficult to achieve as more elaborate and complicated compositions.

Recent additions to an established sub-division, south of Perth, presented this opportunity to build close to the ocean. The benched site features retaining walls, with a 2.5m drop to the beach in front, says architect Paul Odden, from Odden Rodrigues Architects.

"The property's long side boundary provides a northern orientation over open public space,natural dunes and the sea to the west. The issue with designing the home was producing something calm, unpretentious and uncomplicated. This simplicity in form, minimising any visual complexity, is not the current trend here. More prevalent is a kind of Baroque modernism, with a tendency to over-complicate," he says.

Building in front of existing houses meant two conditions needed to be met. The house had to be a single storey dwelling, and the pitch of the roof had to be between 20 and 40 degrees.

An exterior view of the home. architecture, building, commercial building, corporate headquarters, facade, house, real estate, structure, white — An exterior view of the home.

"The design is extremely simple, it's basically brick with a metal deck roof. Piers of reconstituted limestone block run down the northern side."

An economical material, these blocks are not perfectly formed, and are one of the cheapest retaining-wall materials in Perth.

The interior layout is also uncomplicated. The main entrance is through the garage, or alternatively through one of seven aluminium-framed sliding glass doors along the northern facade.

"As the weather can be quite extreme, with high winds and horizontal rain, the doors work extremely well. They slide away from the prevailing weather into interlocking seals. As well as opening up the inside towards the beach, they take full advantage of the cool ocean winds," he says.

A view of the kitchen. architecture, ceiling, daylighting, house, interior design, real estate, window, gray, black — A view of the kitchen.

There are three bedrooms, one with an ensuite, running in a linear fashion from the garage. A second bathroom and laundry sit between the bedrooms and open-plan kitchen and living area. At the front is an extensive glass wall fitted with a double-sided gas fireplace. Protected by a six metre veranda, it connects the living area with its surroundings.

"Only conventional and economical materials were used during construction. The only concession to luxury is the polished concrete floor an aesthetically interesting, easy-to-maintain surface."