Combining the Traditional and the Contemporary – Surf Vista by Tim Ditchfield Architects

Taking inspiration from its coastal setting, Surf Vista is the melding of the traditional weatherboard beachside home and a more contemporary and weighty iteration. Tim Ditchfield Architects combines warm hues with subtle textural variation to conjure a home of longevity, curating views outward and carving its own protective and private haven for its young family.

Sitting atop the sand dunes in Sunrise Beach, Surf Vista perches out over its high outcrop, enviably surveying the adjacent ocean. Its broad-spanning aspects allow for a multitude of views outward, encouraging a sense of the outdoors in through large floor-to-ceiling glazed elements throughout the home. Situated in its coastal surroundings, the resulting home takes inspiration from the traditional beachside vernacular where homes were originally constructed from washed up timber from boats, which then became a popular material with a strong connection to place – the weatherboard. The combination with more masonry and weighed materiality then injects a sense of the contemporary, anchoring the home to its site and providing a sense of protection from the elements. Tim Ditchfield Architects uses a light and subtly textural palette to connect to the surrounding architectural language, while also integrating a means to abate the incoming heat throughout the year.

Built by Diverse Building and Co., together with structural engineering by SCG Consulting Engineers, Surf Vista is the culmination of the story of its owners having had a fascination with the site for many years. Then after a lengthy and patient wait, the opportunity arose for them to acquire it and the family could manifest their vision for how they would use the space. Concentrated on the connection between inside and out, the spatial relationships internally and vertically respond to the way the clients use the space, creating a natural hierarchy internally and carving out protective outdoor spaces in which to entertain unaffected by the temperamental weather conditions.

Tim Ditchfield Architects uses a light and subtly textural palette to connect to the surrounding architectural language, while also integrating a means to abate the incoming heat throughout the year.

A large corner picture window sits as a feature in the living space, doubling as a day bed, and allows an immersion within the beach setting within winter. The space becomes a warm and welcoming front seat to the morning’s surf show, from within the protected enclave of the home. A palette of warm and muted neutral colours is used throughout, bringing textural stone together with timber, and more sleek custom joinery elements. The focus is on a sense of longevity and low maintenance requirements, responding to the climate and the need for an inherent robustness, while also offering a contemporary and sleek home.

Surf Visa navigates its climatically challenging site with ease, referencing traditional and contemporary elements. Tim Ditchfield Architects combines the raw and refined to create a home of lasting and anchored presence.

The focus is on a sense of longevity and low maintenance requirements, responding to the climate and the need for an inherent robustness, while also offering a contemporary and sleek home.