A living platform to embrace expansive ocean views over Geographe Bay – framed by the native coastal dune landscape.
This Busselton beach house designed by south west architect Threadgold Architecture for baby boomers with teenage kids who were embarking on a retirement plan to their beachfront block overlooking Geographe Bay, Busselton, which optimises north west views to Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste.
The layout of the Busselton beach house design by south west architect Threadgold Architecture shuns the suburbs behind the house while the front elevation embraces the ocean sky over Geographe Bay and the native coastal dunes. The ground floor living platform of the house is slightly elevated so the occupants can peer over the dunes from their comfort of their lounge.
The Busselton beach house design brief received by south west architect Threadgold Architecture required a single storey house rather than two storey dwelling for future-proofing the couple’s retirement and eventual relocation from their main residence in Leederville, Western Australia. The Busselton beach house design harnesses the northern aspect, incorporating passive solar design principles and connects the occupants with Geographe Bay Road and the beach environment. The single storey design did not limit the house’s livability and the family still enjoys the unique ocean vistas over Geographe Bay to the Cape Naturaliste bluff.
South west architect Threadgold Architecture incorporated 300mm thick rammed limestone flat arch walls which frame the Holcim ‘Gracetown’ polished concrete floors to create a relaxed beachside feeling with a clear stain finish plywood ceiling overhead within the Busselton beach house design. The Woodform Architectural Sorrento Burnt Ash cladding extends into master bedroom bringing something of the raw natural surroundings inside. South west architect Threadgold Architecture specified a Chazelle Chimneys double-sided and dual opening firebox to the corner of the living area and the built in barbeque to the outdoor alfresco balcony are framed by glass face render. The dual pitch skillion roof with plywood ceilings and eaves of the Busselton beach house design allows sunlight into the majority of living areas over the cooler south west winters and allows the family to bathe in a warm, diffused light while the sun awning at door head height on the northern elevation protects the house from the harsh afternoon summer sun. The only window to the southern elevation is a slot window to the kitchen that also forms the cabinetwork splashback; thus preventing excessive heat loss on the cooler south west days.
This house epitomises Western Australian indoor outdoor living utilising passive solar design principles on the coastal dune fringe.
