The Melbourne-based architectural and interior design practice Simon Couchman Architects has designed Balnarring Beach House a family holiday home located in Balnarring Beach, Victoria, Australia.
Architect’s Statement: Balnarring Beach House is constructed as a series of sheltered north facing courtyards with large bi-folding glass doors to connect or divide indoor and outdoor space. The building is used year-round so creating sunny, wind protected living was a key driver to the design brief. Balnarring Beach House is constructed as a series of sheltered north facing courtyards with large bi-folding glass doors to connect or divide indoor and outdoor space. The building is used year-round so creating sunny, wind protected living was a key driver to the design brief.
image © Christine Francis
Timber slats and black perforated metal screens adorn north-facing facades at roof level. These devices passively manage the sun through the seasons to help maintain optimal internal room temperatures and minimise the need for artificial heating and cooling. By considering the differing sun angles from winter to summer, these screens were fixed in positioned such that hot summer sun is shaded from the building while low winter sun can enter.
image © Christine Francis
The graded and somewhat randomised pattern of holes in the perforated metal screens simulates the dappled light effect created when sunlight passes through the leaves of a tree.
Polished concrete floors and high value wall and roof insulation also help to reduce heating and cooling needs by maintaining stable internal temperatures year-round. The ‘mass’ of the concrete is able to absorb extremes in temperature while the insulation prevents heat entering in summer and ‘contains’ internal warmth in winter.
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
image © Christine Francis
Floor Plan
Section
Project name: Balnarring Beach House
Architecture firm: Simon Couchman Architects
Location: Balnarring Beach, Victoria, Australia
Site area: 1000 m²
Built area: 300 m²
Project Engineer: KH Engineering
Building Contractor: Nepean Houseworks
Landscape: Fiona Brockhoff
Construction: timber frame on concrete slab
Cladding: Radially cut timber shiplap and battens, FC sheet
Windows: Cedar framed double glazing by Future Windows
Doors: Centor Architectural A5 bi-folds with integral flyscreens
Photographey: Christine Francis
