ITN Architects

Great Ocean RD

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

GREAT OCEAN RD

ITN Architects

ARCHITECTS
ITN Architects

LOCATION
Fairhaven, Australia

BUILT
Dunstan Construction

PHOTOGRAPHS
Aidan Halloran

ENGINEERING
Jomill Engineering

LANDSCAPE
Sea Echo

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

Text description provided by architect.

Ordinary architecture for an extraordinary situation. Given an exceptional site, with opposing conditions of extreme weather exposure, dramatic views and very close proximity to the busy ocean road, the house is a simple diagram of a solution to the puzzle- achieving ocean views from every room, private and protected outdoor spaces, protection form the worst of the summer sun, a very small actual footprint on the sensitive coastal site, and a simple greying timber form, that although visible from one direction, is slowly disappearing into the surrounding ti-trees.

The ageing of the external materials will give the building a history with fading silvertop ash and semi rusted steel shading screens streaking black stains on walls and decks. There is no architectural agenda beyond serving the brief.

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

The interior is all hoop pine ply featuring a spine shelving wall that runs the length of the house. Simple, basic materials and finishes were used throughout, tough enough for sandy feet and surfboards,its a house purposely designed to be subservient to its exposed coastal environment.

The house was designed as semi-permanent residence for a couple with 3 adult children, so is zoned to allow half the house to be unoccupied, as needed.

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

With one a writer and the other a keen surfer, the exposure of the site puts the occupants in the centre of the dramatic weather changes of the coast- a stimulating refuge, while still being a casual basic beach house.

The built form is crucially linked to the site and surrounding environment. Fairhaven is a typical west coast mainly beach house community, with a range of dwellings from older basic shacks to multi-million dollar clifftop mansions.

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

The simple basic forms are a nod more to the former, when beach houses were unpretentious occasional homes, rather than aping "the lifestyles of the rich and famous".

Although not a humble dwelling, its materials, form and siting are consciously subservient to its dramatic location.

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

The house is truly a built expression of the clients brief. there are no extraneous indulgences. The house has performed well in all the extremes of weather it has already experienced.

The landscaper designed a sympathetic layout, with all indigenous plants, with flowing graphic lines complimenting the rectilinear building.

Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran

The elevated base of the house will eventually disappear into the undergrowth, leaving a very sheltered private living space under.


Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran
Great Ocean RD
© Aidan Halloran


Great Ocean RD
Floor Plan
Great Ocean RD
Site Plan
Great Ocean RD
Elevation
Great Ocean RD
Elevation

ITN Architects
T +61 3 94163883
ITN Architects
54 Glasshouse Rd, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia