Houzz Tour: Surf's Up for Beach Hut on Sleds
This family holiday house on New Zealand's North Island is not only compact, it's also portable!
Building a beach house directly on the sand brought with it a few challenges, not least that Council required these homeowners to be able to remove and relocate the house if required. For those who lead a busy city lifestyle during the week, however, having a holiday escape by the ocean is an enticing prospect, no matter what obstacles are in their way. This compact and efficient house sits on on two wooden sleds for portability and has everything a family of five needs for quality time together by the beach.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: It’s a holiday house for a professional couple and their three children
Location: Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand
Size: 40 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Architect: Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: It’s a holiday house for a professional couple and their three children
Location: Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand
Size: 40 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Architect: Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects
The house opens to views and sounds of the sea with tall glass doors that extend the living space and shelter the couple and their three kids when the wind picks up.
Dining table: custom designed by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects; dining chairs: Laleggera
Dining table: custom designed by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects; dining chairs: Laleggera
The giant glass front doors are steel framed, and the remainder of the joinery is timber.
“The house serves as a perfect holiday escape from the busy city lifestyles of the owners,” says Crosson. “It allows the family to spend quality time together and connect directly to the water and a relaxed holiday environment.”
“The house serves as a perfect holiday escape from the busy city lifestyles of the owners,” says Crosson. “It allows the family to spend quality time together and connect directly to the water and a relaxed holiday environment.”
The compact house fronts directly onto a white sand beach. The land had been used for decades as a makeshift campground when the homeowners bought it, and much of the vegetation was cleared to make way for the house and to provide access to the beach.
The generous overhangs are adjustable according to weather conditions.
The generous overhangs are adjustable according to weather conditions.
When the vertical bi-fold front shutter is opened up, it provides shade and shelter for those on the deck below.
Crosson says the house was designed to be portable “to satisfy council requirements that the building be removable due to coastal erosion concerns, as well all allowing for a possible second stage of building on site.”
The house is designed structurally to allow it to be repositioned with a winch or tractor.
Crosson says the house was designed to be portable “to satisfy council requirements that the building be removable due to coastal erosion concerns, as well all allowing for a possible second stage of building on site.”
The house is designed structurally to allow it to be repositioned with a winch or tractor.
Turning this wheel opens the shutter using a ‘chain and crack system’.
The home is designed to open to the views and breezes when the family arrives for weekends and holidays, but to close up tight to withstand the weather when they head back to the city.
Crosson says it wasn’t easy coming up with a design that would comfortably accommodate five people in just 40 square metres. “It was a challenge, but one that we enjoyed. No space was overlooked and concealed cabinetry is fitted throughout.”
The kitchen cabinetry is hoop pine plywood with a stainless steel benchtop. The Warmington ‘Studio’ fireplace heats the house when needed, and can also be used for cooking. Natural cross-ventilation keeps the home cool on warm days.
The kitchen cabinetry is hoop pine plywood with a stainless steel benchtop. The Warmington ‘Studio’ fireplace heats the house when needed, and can also be used for cooking. Natural cross-ventilation keeps the home cool on warm days.
The family spends as much of the summer holidays as possible here, along with many weekends and holidays throughout the year.
“The fireplace allows year-round occupation if desired,” Crosson says.
Lounge chairs: vintage 1960s Parker chairs in red velvet
“The fireplace allows year-round occupation if desired,” Crosson says.
Lounge chairs: vintage 1960s Parker chairs in red velvet
The ladder leads up through a hatch from the main bedroom to a deck on the roof. The bedroom cabinetry is hoop pine plywood. Shelving in the walls and behind the bed makes the most of every bit of space available.
The three children sleep in cosy comfort in their bunkroom, with built-in cupboards and shelving for their gear.
The tanks at the rear are positioned to collect rainwater for drinking. These can be supplemented by the local water supply if required.
The house also has a Biolytix worm-fed septic treatment for waste.
The house also has a Biolytix worm-fed septic treatment for waste.
The project took about a year to get to the construction stage. “Our clients were very much ‘on board’ with the creative process and were an absolute joy to work for,” says Crosson. “They were very courageous and adventurous.”