the public areas, containing the living and cooking areas, are fully glazed and provide direct access to the landscape and outdoor dining areas. congregation of the occupants is promoted, for the preparation of meals, dining together, with a high level of interaction encouraged.

the private areas, containing the sleeping and bathing spaces, are subdued. the strict material palette of light oak timber and natural linen together with limited, indirect natural light, define these areas as zones for retreat, rest and reflection.

externally, the building is clad in rough sawn timber, raw and weathered grey to bleed into the surrounding tea tree. openings to the building mass of the private areas are concealed, the lack of fenestration or detailing enabling the forms to abstract from typical building elements into stacks of timber planks.

light oak timber, also raw in finish, is continued through to the interiors, creating a pure sensory experience. the interior timber is light in colour and refined in profile, contrasting with the rough and weathered timber used externally, taking direction from cutting through a trunk of the tea tree. the timber lined interior absorbs light and heat, providing a retreat from the harsh sun and exposure of the nearby coastline.

reference image sources, left to right, top to bottom : unknown, john pawson, kengo kuma, baumschlager and eberle, peter zumthor, baumschlager and eberle

we explore breaking down the building program, not only between public and private areas, but between individual sleeping + bathing areas for each of the family members or groups.
by breaking down the program, the built form slips between the existing tea tree, enabling the forms to become contained by the surrounding landscape.

the separation of forms allows the program to be manipulated to suit the existing landscape, as well as enabling the program to be experienced as one moves through the building. the separation of each form is experienced both internally and externally, with the building punctured on all four sides to express each junction. these punctures are used to provide strips of light and connection to the landscape to what are otherwise subdued private areas.

we begin design work for a new house at st andrews beach on the mornington peninsular. with national parkland separating the site from the beach, this large site is afforded extended views to dense tea tree beyond on all four sides.

the brief is to provide beach house accommodation for a young family, with a strong delineation between public / living + cooking areas and private / sleeping + bathing areas. while the house will typically be used by this family of four, the program needs to be flexible to accommodate groups of extended family and friends, providing each group with their own sense of seclusion.