Looking out at Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a run-down home was not utilising its location to its full potential. The homeowners called on Spark Architects to commence a new build that would provide an oasis for family gatherings, with an emphasis on outdoor living and maximising the beachfront location. The home was to have that “barefoot luxury” feel.
Inspired by the raw luxury of off-form concrete, the interior palette of this home embraces natural textures and a modern aesthetic
With the property positioned directly opposite the dunes of Peregian Beach, the challenge facing Spark Architects was to build high enough to capture the exquisite ocean views without exceeding the statutory height limits, as well as being considerate of the neighbours’ views. Achieving these views while balancing the home’s thermal performance and providing protection from south-east winds resulted in building stackable, spacious volumes that span the width and depth of the site. “This massing provides openness to the site and a breezeway to the properties behind,” say the architects.
The bedroom wing (with four ensuite bathrooms), appears to float across the width of the property, allowing the outdoor space below to receive the best of the elements
On the basement level, the ancilliary garage, workshop and media room are located at the back of the site, while the bulk of the home is in the living room wing, “providing an anchor to the seemingly light upper-fl oor bedroom wing (with four ensuite bathrooms) that fl oats across the width of the property to allow the neighbours views and breezes”. The most prized part of this project, however, is the outdoor entertainment room and how it integrates with the pool and landscape to create a feeling of being on top of the dunes and completely separated from any built environment.
All bedrooms have been designed to face the ocean and make the most of the views with full-height windows, which are protected by folding timber shutters at the edge of each balcony
In order to achieve that aspired “barefoot luxury” feel, the homeowners requested the interiors embrace off -form concrete. With this direction, the interior palette, the home has a very modern, minimalist aesthetic that embraces raw, natural materials, including timber flooring, stone paving and a black and grey tonal palette. Full-height windows and doors also ensure each room takes in every element of the outdoors.
“While many coastal homes sacrifice passive solar principles to maximise their eastern ocean views, this home actually orients outdoor living to a large covered northern terrace while still maintaining ocean views,” says Spark Architects. All bedrooms have been designed to face the ocean and make the most of the views with full-height windows; however, they are protected by folding timber shutters at the edge of each balcony. This clever combination of orientation and design has resulted in a home with a multitude of indoor and outdoor living spaces that suit all seasons, as well as a variety of social and private activities.
