Sunshine and privacy on a tricky site

Designed by Jeff Brickell Architects

From the architects:

This home is designed as a beach house for a family of four with a large extended family. 

The owners had spent many summers in a double garage on the site. 

The brief called for a comfortable house with good privacy and a range of outdoor spaces to suit different times of the day and year.

The site lies at the foot of a valley with a north-facing aspect and receives all day sun. 

Site constraints

It presented many constraints, most notably how heavily overlooked it was by neighbouring houses, particularly to the north. 

In addition, the permitted setbacks were onerous and the existing double garage was to remain, creating a compact building platform.

Sea views could be obtained, but only from a high position on the eastern side of the site. 

Lovely views to the ridge lines on the north and west were available above the existing houses but cold winds prevailed from the south west.           

The home was conceived with a simple folded roof forming a buffering south wall. 

Privacy and chasing the sun

On the north-facing side, a porous passive solar screen supported on a slender mild steel frame affords privacy while still admitting maximum winter sun deep into the house and outdoor spaces. 

Two primary outdoor spaces were created – a north facing, sunny, public space and a more private east facing space focussed on the sea view. 

These spaces are linked by a covered veranda.

It was clear from the outset that the living spaces would need to be at first floor level to have any chance of achieving privacy.  

The master suite is positioned for privacy at the western end of the first floor while the sleeping/guest wing is positioned at ground floor level, allowing good winter sun into the bedrooms. 

Feature cladding and entry stair

Ground and first floor levels are linked by both an internal stair and an exterior feature floating stair which forms the main entry to the house.

The beach house is clad in ABODO Vulcan thermally modified timber cladding with ABODO screening, bagged brick veneer and vertical profiled metal cladding. 

Interior balance

The interior features white oak flooring, stairs and joinery, along with a polished concrete ground floor slab. 

Paint finished plasterboard is used to offset the warmth of the timber.

Green thinking

Environmental credentials include double glazing, high levels of thermal insulation, passive solar heating/thermal mass, passive ventilation/cooling (cross and stack ventilation), a compact plan form and extensive use of timber and engineered wood products.    

Story by: Trendsideas