Perched on the cliffs in Jan Juc, Victoria, this home has a strong connection to its environment, and provides a sense of being one with nature. Based on the design of the original weatherboard home, Doherty Lynch (how’s that for a blast from the past!) collaborated with Zen Architects to create a home with a relaxed beach house feel.
Big windows for the big views and an abundance of natural light, a garden that flows around the sides of the house and into the backyard, along with a feeling of retreat and casual seaside living were paramount. The house needed to expand and contract as required, creating spaces for togetherness with friends and family while also ensuring privacy and separation could be found when needed.
Materials were chosen and the joinery designed to reflect the owners desire for a relaxed beach house feel with a natural bent. A restrained material palette and a series of simple but finely detailed joinery units help to define the spaces, while also creating a warm, casual feeling throughout the home. A see-through stairwell was designed as an axis that links interior zones and connects them with the backyard. Organic and recycled finishes, in conjunction with other sustainability features – water saving, passive heating/cooling and renewable energy were also crucially important in making this home live in harmony with its natural surrounds.