Summer Beach House

A refined, peaceful and passive-solar house with a central living zone connected to a large north-facing verandah. The design provides the best qualities of a courtyard house and a traditional Australian verandah. It is a very private house, accessible to friends and family with the side gate working as front door. Natural materials such as timber cladding, plywood, cedar doors and internally recycled painted brick and stone compliment the seaside setting and lightly wooded environment. The large verandah maximises outdoor living in colder months while ample shade during the hottest months keeps one comfortable in the heat. Reverse brick veneer construction and a carefully crafted passive solar envelope provides a very comfortable and stable internal living environment. The heating and cooling systems are rarely used. A house for the beautiful contrasts of Victorian climate.

What was the brief?
To provide a retired couple with a compact and peaceful summer residence. A strong connection with gardens for a succulent enthusiast, a studio for a part time artist and a workshop for a music equipment technician. All natural materials including dark stained timbers, recycled bricks and timber floors.

What were the key challenges?
To provide privacy but also connection to the sky and northern sunlight. The narrow plot and orientation required a subtle scale and significant setback to the street and then the building form increased to the rear.

Adrian Bonomi Architect