Noosa Nest

Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is well-endowed with abundant natural beauty that most people appreciate, even if it is sometimes overrun with too much white linen and gold sandals.

This project, designed by Tim Ditchfield Architects, comprises the renovation, alteration, and extension to a three storey 1970’s building.

It was originally designed as a duplex and later converted to a holiday house.

The steep semi-rainforest site sits at the end of Laguna Bay.

The original building including a large pool and surrounding deck structure have been carefully positioned around mature size Callitris trees, a large eucalypt, and Poinciana tree.

Callitris trees are found only in Australia and New Caledonia with 13 of the 15 species found in Australia.

They are commonly called cypress pines because they are related to, and resemble northern hemisphere cypresses. However, they are not true pines.

These trees were retained and remain a key feature of the renovation project.

The lower level of the original building was gutted but the existing concrete columns and floors slabs were retained.

The upper level was removed except for the suspended concrete floor slab.

The Tim Ditchfield Architects’ design team capitalised on truly stunning views to Noosa Main Beach, Laguna Bay, and the hinterland at both levels.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Large floor-to-ceiling slide-away glass doors give the house a high level of transparency.

And there’s an easy connection to outdoor living spaces too.

A new parent’s bedroom retreat was added at tree-top level and has a “Nest” like quality with panoramic views to Laguna Bay.

Yes please!

Adjustable vertical louvres, sliding slatted timber screens, sunhoods, and large roof overhangs act as climate control devices.

External materials like black zinc cladding and timber boards have been used for low maintenance and to ensure the building is camouflaged with the forest environment when viewed from Noosa Main Beach.

The original building was a duplex design by Job and Froud Architects in 1970 and renovated by RP Froud in 1985 including the addition of a large concrete pool and associated deck structure.

This building is not the typical lightweight timber framed beach house that Job and Froud are recognised for.

It’s rather a more heavy-weight building comprising concrete columns, concrete floor slabs, and brick wall construction.

Tim Ditchfield Architects’ conceptual framework was to build on Job and Froud’s foundation of maximising daylight and cross-ventilation and positioning living areas to the north to take advantage of stunning views to Noosa Main Beach and Laguna Bay.

The new entry was relocated for this reason also.

All new service areas are located to the south side of the building.

The existing core concrete structure was retained and a new external wall fabric was installed to reflect the use of internal spaces.

Bottom line?

Tim Ditchfield Architects delivered a sensitive and sophisticated upgrade to a splendid home in a truly stunning location.

Project Details

Completion Date – 2016

Project Team

Architecture

Tim Ditchfield Architects

Tim Ditchfield Architects are located at Noosa Heads. The firm’s design team has the capability and experience to engage with a diverse range of building projects.

www.timditchfieldarchitect.com.au

Photography

Andrew Manson

Manson Images provides an international architectural and interior design photography service to leading architects, designers, locations, and brands.

www.mansonimages.com