battery lane house, port fairy, victoria
Architects do often get asked who they would get to design a house for them. I'd happily engage Shelley Penn. Shelley draws beautifully and communicates her ideas sensitively. Shelley had assisted me on some of my earlier Sydney houses including Gunyah, Mulbring and Overcliffe. But this, a beach house on Victoria's Shipwreck coast, was our first chance to collaborate. Our clients challenged us to design them a simple 4 bedroom timber beach house that made the most of the views. The design was uncomplicated and pragmatic. The house would facilitate large family gatherings and promote easy access to private outdoor spaces and a path to the beach. Beach houses like this one are about bare feet and barbecues and sweeping up sand and playing cards and lighting fires and laughing loudly and yelling at kids to pick up wet towels knowing that they never will. And they're relaxed places where friends and family feel welcome to drop in or stay or both! Kitchens are largely free-for-all spaces and you should be able to walk less than 10 paces to the barbecue! Dining tables are big and usually just an extension of the kitchen. Sitting spaces are slightly set apart and are large and comfy and full of light and breeze and memories. Beach houses bring people together and foster happy memories. We were privileged to be able to assist in this process.