Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Surfer's Beach House Built for Outdoor Living
This modern house in northern New South Wales soaks up its tranquil setting and makes the central courtyard its star
Situated in a prime position that is intentionally unassuming at first glance, this Byron Bay house backs onto bush reserve, and beyond that, the beach. Its location kicked off the brief, as the client, a surfer, who works from home, wanted to ensure a visual connection between the home and its native and coastal landscape. In keeping with this request, the basic elements of water, bush and natural timber dominate the feeling of this house, which takes full effect out back.
The designed floor plan wraps around the pool and deck areas and creates an outdoor living room with an oversized, two-directional cantilevered roof that floats six meters above the outdoor entertaining space and pool.
“The facade doesn’t give away what happens at the back of the house,” Davis says. Natural timber and painted weatherboards are used on the front facade so the house can sit comfortably within the street setting. “The ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ or two-faced nature of the house is one of my favourite features,” he says.
The detailed wood screens create a sense of mystery while providing ample privacy.
Landscape design: Martin Stautner
Landscape design: Martin Stautner
Native Australian landscaping leads to an understated entry with a wood front door.
Sustainably-grown Australian hardwood timbers were used for the external doors and window frames, and were sourced from a local supplier, Designer Woodworks.
Davis prefers to use natural and sustainable materials, and always tries to source them locally – in this case, that included the external doors and windows, cladding, flooring, decking, even the taps and bathroom fixtures. “We can’t see the point in transporting a product from the other side of the world when the same or superior product is supplied locally.”
Stone was sourced from a stone quarry in South East Queensland, and provided the rather fitting stonework seen here and inside the living room.
Sustainably-grown Australian hardwood timbers were used for the external doors and window frames, and were sourced from a local supplier, Designer Woodworks.
Davis prefers to use natural and sustainable materials, and always tries to source them locally – in this case, that included the external doors and windows, cladding, flooring, decking, even the taps and bathroom fixtures. “We can’t see the point in transporting a product from the other side of the world when the same or superior product is supplied locally.”
Stone was sourced from a stone quarry in South East Queensland, and provided the rather fitting stonework seen here and inside the living room.
Ground floor
The client also sought various ‘modes’ of living in the house, so as to be as flexible as possible in its use. With that in mind, Davis designed the house to allow for a growing family, home-based business and separate guest accommodation, and can be ‘opened up’ or ‘privatised’ depending on what is required at the time.
The first mode of living incorporates the entire house; the second allows for the ‘guest wing’ to be rented out as a completely separate and self-contained two-bedroom, two-storey ‘townhouse’; and the third allows for the owner to potentially live in the two-bedroom terrace and rent out the main house.
The client also sought various ‘modes’ of living in the house, so as to be as flexible as possible in its use. With that in mind, Davis designed the house to allow for a growing family, home-based business and separate guest accommodation, and can be ‘opened up’ or ‘privatised’ depending on what is required at the time.
The first mode of living incorporates the entire house; the second allows for the ‘guest wing’ to be rented out as a completely separate and self-contained two-bedroom, two-storey ‘townhouse’; and the third allows for the owner to potentially live in the two-bedroom terrace and rent out the main house.
First floor
The balmy climate that comes with living in far north-eastern NSW meant that cross-flow ventilation was of critical importance when designing the home. In addition to the floor-to-ceiling glass breezeway that lines the entrance hallway, the central two-storey void and internal staircase also incorporate a louvered breezeway to maximise the cooling breeze that is drawn in from the north-east. “Natural convection moves the air up through the stairs and void, where the air is then exhausted out through the second storey roof,” Davis says.
The timber wall feature was sourced by the client. “There is a definite ‘surf’ and ‘Balinese’ theme to the house, and this was part of creating this look,” Davis adds.
The timber wall feature was sourced by the client. “There is a definite ‘surf’ and ‘Balinese’ theme to the house, and this was part of creating this look,” Davis adds.
At the end of the entrance hall you reach the main dining and living area. It is at this point that the drama unfolds and the external space and surrounds – swimming pool, spa, garden and native bushland – take centre stage.
The entire house is designed to open up to the north and allow winter sun to penetrate deep into all the main living areas of the house.
Blackbutt timber was used throughout the house for its light colour and slightly uneven texture, which Davis says, “helps to create a relaxed coastal feel.” The timber was also supplied by two local suppliers, Brims Hardware and Old Mill Mullumbimby.
The entire house is designed to open up to the north and allow winter sun to penetrate deep into all the main living areas of the house.
Blackbutt timber was used throughout the house for its light colour and slightly uneven texture, which Davis says, “helps to create a relaxed coastal feel.” The timber was also supplied by two local suppliers, Brims Hardware and Old Mill Mullumbimby.
The atypical suburban nature of the block was one of Davis’ biggest obstacles, as the brief required the house look expansive, private and resort-like – not an easy feat with neighbouring walls and rooftops.
As a result, the house was designed to ensure outlooks from all rooms were focused away from the neighbours, facing towards the east or bush reserve.
As a result, the house was designed to ensure outlooks from all rooms were focused away from the neighbours, facing towards the east or bush reserve.
Large timber doors and windows are designed to ‘frame’ the pool area and highlight the tranquil setting. They slide back on the outside of the building, so the view from the inside looking out is undisturbed.
Moulded plastic chairs in White: Eames
Moulded plastic chairs in White: Eames
The kitchen is pared back and practical. The fridge and walk-in pantry are tucked away on the right-hand side, out of view so the kitchen presents as a simple island with the back bench one stove behind.
“We wanted the entire living and dining area to flow to the outside, where most of the activity and interest will be focused,” explains Davis. “So really, the kitchen was intentionally quite minimal so as to not compete with the ‘main show’, which was the outdoor pool, deck and garden.” The client’s request for finishes that were low maintenance and hard-wearing also assisted in this simple design.
While the splashback is a feature within the minimal kitchen, it in no way dominates the room.
“We wanted the entire living and dining area to flow to the outside, where most of the activity and interest will be focused,” explains Davis. “So really, the kitchen was intentionally quite minimal so as to not compete with the ‘main show’, which was the outdoor pool, deck and garden.” The client’s request for finishes that were low maintenance and hard-wearing also assisted in this simple design.
While the splashback is a feature within the minimal kitchen, it in no way dominates the room.
Internal stairs showcase detailed hardwood timber screens, which are designed to allow light through and add texture and detail to the house. Light is also introduced from above, which Davis says, “adds to the ‘vertical drama’ of the space.”
The bathroom is in keeping with the simple design theme and colour palette, with wall tiles that echo turquoise waters and sea shells.
Scala range taps, fixtures and fittings: Reece
Scala range taps, fixtures and fittings: Reece
The living room in the guest wing was designed to be a simple, tranquil and private space that would allow guests to relax without being seen by people in the main house.
Noguchi coffee table
Noguchi coffee table
Most of the bedrooms have views towards the bush.
The master bedroom is located in the separate ‘wing’ for privacy and features its own small media room/den and two outdoor decks, as well as a luxury walk-in robe and ensuite. One deck is for relaxing and enjoying the outlook towards the east and the other deck is more private and includes an outdoor bath, which is accessed directly off the ensuite.
The master bedroom is located in the separate ‘wing’ for privacy and features its own small media room/den and two outdoor decks, as well as a luxury walk-in robe and ensuite. One deck is for relaxing and enjoying the outlook towards the east and the other deck is more private and includes an outdoor bath, which is accessed directly off the ensuite.
One of the views from the master bedroom’s private deck.
Another view from the deck, looking towards the east.
From this angle, you can see how the guest ‘wing’ also has uninterrupted views and wraps around the pool, closing off the space from neighbours.
Location: Byron Bay in Northern New South Wales, Australia
Size: 373 square metres; main house has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, office, and main dining/living/kitchen area
Edward Davis from Davis Architects took on the project and designed the house around the central courtyard — the hub and focal point of the home.