A calm two-storey home along an esplanade, overlooking the pristine beaches of Tasmania’s northern coast.
Nestled behind the sand dunes in a seaside town east of Devonport, Shearwater House’s timber exterior tells the story of a long-standing beach shack, present in the community since the very beginning. Our approach was to design a comfortable home that would reflect the familiar coastal lifestyle, subtle in its unique features and with minimal impact on its sensitive surroundings.
CLIENT
Private
IMAGES
Anjie Blair
LAND OF
Parnillerpanner
COLLABORATORS
IPD Consulting
Brierley Consulting Engineers
Simon Cunningham
AWARDS
The playful curves of the white brick base, which are mirrored in the roofline above, contrast and soften the home’s overall linear form. The lightweight wooden design of the second storey is complemented by the open living area and floor-to-ceiling windows to the north and east. The considered height gives the kitchen, master bedroom and compact deck sweeping views towards the adjacent Narawntapu National Park coastline.
Mirrored lines
A constant conversation
Several important elements of the design resulted from our close collaboration with Shearwater’s owners. This considered approach, which flows onto the landscape design, reflects the intent of the house to bea part of the community’s oceanside narrative rather than dominating it.
Purposefully set back from the esplanade, the design’s subdued palette and selected materials allow the house to settle into the rhythm of the built landscape. Drawing inspiration from the humble beach shack, Shearwater’s pre-weathered facade also references the alternating tones of the native vegetation, sand and mature gums skirting the property. Throughout the interior, an array of natural timber finishes creates a sense of connection between the space and the outside.
Connected to place
