Conscious and Graceful – Back Beach by Insider Outsider

Conceived as a found object within the natural canvas of the dunes, Back Beach is a testament to both responsive and resilient design. Insider Outsider finely balances the presence of the home amongst its coastal surrounds, embracing the characteristics that define the setting while providing a quiet, still haven for the owners.

Softly placed within the landscape of Rye, in coastal Victoria, Back Beach sees a deliberate challenging of convention and comfort zone for the owner. The independent dwelling captures the colours and softness of the dunes while also embodying adaptability, resilience and a deep understanding of its surroundings. With the fundamental needs of the home as a place of shelter covered, the focus is on sustainability. As such, energy consumption and capture sat at the core of all design decisions throughout the design and build process. Appearing to emerge from the landscape and peak out over the top of the existing soft tapestry of native grasses, the home sees Insider Outsider create a sensitive weaving amongst the natural environment.

Wanting to create a home that acted as an authentic extension of their own values, the owners sought to ensure that an honesty and deliberateness was executed in all comprising components.

Defined by a collective range of experiences that span from intimacy to openness, light to dark and from moments of togetherness to solitude, the result is a home of diverse depth. Catering to the dynamic needs of family life, as a place in which to both engage and retreat, the home responds to many and varied functional imperatives. The interior spaces are carved thoughtfully from the encasing timber-clad volume, with deliberate openings framing views out into the landscape, allowing the passing weather to animate the home throughout the year. Adding a layer of privacy, the internal courtyard also becomes a place of respite amongst the elements, adding a layer of introversion and anchoring a connection to place.

Wanting to create a home that acted as an authentic extension of their own values, the owners sought to ensure that an honesty and deliberateness was executed in all comprising components. The approach to materiality was inspired by the on-site discovery of scattered local bricks from a bygone structure. These bricks inspired an exploratory process, examining how texture, light and space interact over time and on site. As a result, the structure sits grounded, with the use of timber connecting to a strong known vernacular that captures time and texture. The integration of locality was also important, with the selections all sourced within a specific distance from the site and the engagement of local makers to imprint a unique Rye maker’s mark into the form.

The structure sits grounded on site, with the use of timber connecting to a strong known vernacular that also captures time and texture.

Intended to age gracefully and continue to embed its presence amongst the surrounds, Back Beach sits comfortably between the soft, ebbing and rugged elements of the coast. Through a unique and personal response, Insider Outsider unearths a contemporary resilience, befitting of place.