Elevated on a concrete platform to protect against tidal surges, two modest timber pavilions enclose a sheltered courtyard, creating a sense of privacy and protection while opening the home up to sea breezes. “When you open the front door… it brings the beach plus the atmosphere of the two enormous Norfolk pines in the front yard right into the house,” says architect Rob Brown. Inside, the compact plan accommodates up to 12 people, with warm, generous spaces and flexible indoor-outdoor living areas.
Facing south-west on the water, the architecture takes its cues from a shell – with a rustic, rugged exterior and an inside that is beautifully smooth and rich. Timber is favoured throughout for its durability, warmth and history. “As each board and each post and each beam is slightly different, it’s got a story.” He notes that the choice of a completely timber interior was “to expose the structure, show the bones, show how it was put together, and its wonderful recycling of history.”