House on the Bay
Overlooking the water’s edge at Brighton Beach, the site is characterised by the historical context of the area as an aquatic playground for the city and the striking views over the expanse of the bay. It is the last allotment in a row of residential homes that stretch along the foreshore and are buttressed to the south by the Brighton Sea Baths and Marina. These monolithic structures stretch out into the bay to create pockets of calm water for swimmers and watercraft, and are significant public spaces in the city’s identity and consciousness.
The project extends upon themes embedded within these structures: shelter, enclosure and protection. A resilient concrete structure wraps the facade on three sides, giving way to a series of walled gardens that provide sanctuary from the harsh climatic conditions and public view. Through their abrupt nature, the edges of the home emphasise the soft undulations of the coastal scrub landscape as it meanders around and through the built form. This dialogue between the ephemeral and permanent speaks to the qualities inherent in the nearby civic structures.
The project was commissioned by a couple to live permanently with the ability to facilitate large family gatherings and extended visits from their children. Working with the gentle fall of the site towards the water, the home is arranged over three distinct layers of program. The ground floor, reserved primarily for guests, cuts back into the slope, partially submerging the garage. The bedrooms, rumpus and sauna spill out onto the pool deck and the foreshore scrub. These spaces are characterised by the concrete cantilever of the main floor above, emphasising the horizontal focus of the site and echoing the sounds of the ocean. The elevated entry level contains the primary functions of the home—main bedroom, study, kitchen and living spaces—arranged around a secluded garden. Views are carefully edited, layered and framed through the home, providing glimpses of water and sky. This sequence of vistas culminates in the living space with a sheer horizontal window that encourages the sense of being at a cliff edge, giving way to the drama and expanse of the bay. The controlled views of the main living spaces are countervailed by a roof garden on the second level which introduces views back towards the suburbs and city. In this respect, the home establishes three clearly defined layers of experience. An external stair threads the three levels together, bringing the various garden conditions into conversation and subtly disrupting the horizontal focus of the site.
The site’s corrosive environment dictated the use of resilient materials. Insulated precast panels form the primary wall material, both internally and externally. Conceptually, the finish of the panels derives from notions of coastal weathering and ageing through forms of carving and casting. Inside, the panels have been cut and sandblasted to expose a white quartz aggregate that shimmers in the changing light. Externally, the panels are fluted, leaning into the idea of time captured through light and shadow in the rippled sand of the beach. This defensive shell is softened with operable timber batten screens that help regulate solar heat gain and provide a texture and tactility to an otherwise monolithic form. Internally, swathes of dark timber ceilings and tumbled stone flooring are employed to add depth and contrast to the view and accentuate the horizontal focus of the site. These textures are complemented by warmer concrete tones, and timber used on vertical surfaces and touch points throughout the home.
Extending this idea of a weathered relic washed up on the shoreline, the various rambling gardens that weave through the home mimic the broader landscape condition. Native vegetation that keys into the foreshore scrub slowly gives way to exotic species that inhabit the various courtyard gardens and street presentation. Over time, the vegetation will drape and grow over the hard concrete edges of the home, further embedding the structure to its place.
