Balmoral Beach House

Winner of Highly Commended Award

The Balmoral Beach House is a contemporary interpretation of the city beach house. It is a dwelling that speaks to the local context of the beach, the nature reserve opposite, and its past as a small interwar bungalow. Native timber lines the ceiling which is juxtaposed against charred black Ironbark that wraps the facades. This warm material palette anchors the house within the surrounding landscape of red Angophora eucalypts. A simple sliding screen wraps around the NE corner, modulating privacy, sunlight and shade as well as animating the most prominent facade.At night these screens turn the house into a lantern on the hill. The pedestrian path to the beach (Botanic Walk) is along the side boundary.The fence is deliberately low offering generous visibility to the garden and invites community engagement.

Small and consistent interventions encourage movement, engagement with the environment and are designed to be bring delight to the occupants!

Sustainability

Passive cooling functions throughout and the sea breeze is drawn through the house.Screens provide solar control and allow for shadow play to create an undulating interior experience.Locally sourced materials are used throughout.The original bungalow has been retained and the garden comprises of native plants providing a generous landscape for indigenous birds.