Avoca Beach House

The core idea of people living and engaging with place is an underlying principle of Architecture Saville Isaacs’ practice.

This project is a new weekend home for long-term clients of the practice with a view to it being used as a future permanent residence.

The brief called for a home that could accommodate a small family, yet expandable to accommodate multiple guest configurations, varying levels of privacy, scale and interaction.

It was to respond to its environment both functionally and aesthetically, with a preference for raw, natural, and robust materials.

Visual and physical connections to the beach were to be maximised.

Architecture Saville Isaacs’ response was a series of operable spaces relating in succession, maintaining focus/connection, to the beach.

The public spaces were designed as series of indoor/outdoor pavilions.

Courtyards were treated as outdoor rooms, creating ambiguity and blurring the distinction between inside and out.

The house and interiors were designed to maximise its spectacular Avoca beachfront location and careful attention was paid to the creation of a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces/rooms in which to experience different aspects of beachside living.

The interpretation of experiencing life at the beach in all its forms has been manifested in tangible spaces and places through the design of pavilions, courtyards, and outdoor rooms.

A progression of pavilions and courtyards are strung off a circulation spine/breezeway, from street to beach: entry/car court; grassed west courtyard (existing tree); games pavilion; sand and fire courtyard (=sheltered heart); living pavilion; operable verandah; beach.

The interiors reinforce architectural design principles and place-making, allowing every space to be utilised to its optimum.

There is no differentiation between architecture and interiors: Interior becomes exterior, joinery becomes space modulator, and materials become textural art brought to life by the sun.

Light, both natural and artificial, is used to sculpt the space and accentuate textural qualities of materials.

There was a focus on the tactile quality of the materials: a consistent palette of concrete, raw recycled grey ironbark, steel and natural stone.

Materials selections are raw, robust, low maintenance and recyclable.

Passive climatic design strategies (orientation, winter solar penetration, screening/shading, thermal mass and cross ventilation) result in stable indoor temperatures, requiring minimal use of heating and cooling.

Accommodation is naturally ventilated by eastern sea breezes, but sheltered from harsh afternoon winds.

Both bore and rainwater are harvested for reuse.

Low VOC and non-toxic materials and finishes, hydronic floor heating and ventilation ensure a healthy indoor environment.

This project was the outcome of extensive collaboration with the client, specialist consultants (including coastal erosion) and the builder.

The interpretation of experiencing life by the sea in all its forms has been manifested in tangible spaces and places through the design of the pavilions, courtyards, and outdoor rooms.

The interior design has been an extension of the architectural intent, reinforcing architectural design principles and place-making, allowing every space to be utilised to its optimum capacity.

Key Products Used

Fridges, Freezer and Wine fridge by Liebherr
Ovens by Miele
Wood Fire Pizza Oven by Vesuvio
BBQs by Lynx
Door Hardware by Olivari
Tapware by Brodware
Hydrotherm
Zip Hydotaps
Appliances by Winning Appliances
Outdoor heaters by Bromic
Satin Zen by Clipsal
Fireplace by Jetmaster
Rangehood by Qasair

Project Details

Project size – 643 m2
Site area – 1,147 m2
Completion date – 2019
Building levels – 2

Project Team

Architecture

Architecture Saville Isaacs

Sydney-based Architecture Saville Isaacs is a dynamic, focused architectural practice providing a unique combination of award-winning design skills and a strong commercial sensibility.

www.architecturesavilleisaacs.com.au

Photography

Kata Bayer

Widely published Sydney-based photographer Kata Bayer works for leading architects and major brands including Samsung, Epson, Kellogg’s, Konica Minolta, Audi, Nestle, Qantas, Canturi Jewels, and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.

Her work has been exhibited at Venice Biennale 2020, Museum of Sydney, Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Gold Coast City Art Gallery, and many others.

www.katabayer.com