Banool House involved utilising the existing footprint of a dilapidated, two bedroom home in Fairhaven on Victoria's Surf Coast. The brief for the project was to recreate the home to maximise ocean views, while maintaining an understated, calming aesthetic, befitting its clifftop location.

The house was to weather and age into the hillside, allowing the surrounding landscape to blend with the architecture over time.

The home functions as a weekender and thus, a low-maintenance, robust internal palette was applied, providing a sense of warmth and calm against an ever-changing ocean backdrop.

The ocean-side yard is accessed directly from the dining and living zones via two retractable, oversized sliding glass doors. Meaning that when weather permits, a whole corner of the area can be opened up to the breeze and the internal spaces are fully connected to the outdoor zone.

Architecture & Design: Can you describe the initial vision for this project and how it evolved over time?

Lachlan Shepherd Architects: The project was always intended to improve the amenity of the existing home which my clients had purchased a couple of years earlier. The vision was to largely utilise the existing footprint but totally transformed the internal space and volume.

To do this, we removed all of the existing built fabric back to floor level and re-built, creating a larger internal volume with increased areas of glazing to fully harness the view potential of the site.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the design and construction phases, and how did you overcome them?

The area involves considerable planning overlays and so we had to carefully manage the amenity of surrounding properties, whilst allowing for maximising views from our site. Thus, maintaining privacy internally with regard to site context, at the same time as providing full ocean-view opportunities.

This was done by careful placement of new window glazed sections and articulation of new built areas (small outward extension of the building footprint) which meant that direct views into the neighbouring property’s private open space was avoided. By placing the kitchen area in the centre of the home, this also meant that a north-facing, covered, central deck allows for privacy when entertaining.

How did you ensure that the project met the client’s needs and expectations?

We were very clear about their design intent and requests during the initial briefing period. They set clear expectations as to the quality and feel of the home, whilst remaining understanding and appropriate for a “beach house”. Extensive use of timber internally and externally was seen as a suitable material for these requirements.

Were there any unique or innovative techniques or materials used in this project?

Most of the techniques utilised were based on experience with coastal sites. Views are of primary concern to our clients, however, these do not generally correlate with solar passive gain in Victoria’s Surf Coast region (views generally to South/East, solar gain to North).

So we utilised north facing highlight windows with appropriate eave protection to harness winter sun. The highlight windows are also electronically operable and so, the home can be flushed quickly and effectively in summer when sea breezes are available (often) by opening sea-facing windows and the highlight windows - natural connection occurs to remove the hot air.

How does this project fit into your broader portfolio and design philosophy?

We are modernist architects and the work we undertake is practical and (we feel) timeless. Materiality may change from project to project but our principles and design language is consistent. This home is a good example of that.

There is nothing superfluous, it is a practical weekend beach house, which can be expanded for larger family gatherings when required, but primarily services two people most weekends.

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