Nebraska
On North Bruny Island in Tasmania, there’s a holiday house whose beauty lies in its thoughtful simplicity. Architect Lara Maeseele has designed a timber-lined holiday retreat on a windswept beach-facing site that sinks into the adjacent dunes without imposing on the landscape.
The beauty of Nebraska lies in its location, right on the sand with a broad view of the town and Mount Wellington. The clients, who have childhood memories of the island, were keen on creating a home large enough for multiple families to share in the nostalgic experience of holidaying there. The prevailing chilly westerly winds called for a plan that would follow the sun, with shifting moments for rest and reconvening during varying times of day, and the resulting rooms are playful and dynamic, in conversation with nature.
Accommodating a rich social life was key for the outdoor-oriented family. On warm days, the social spaces extend to the external deck and courtyard, while inside, the nearly 200-square-meter home with five bedrooms and two bathrooms has plenty of room for togetherness even on less pleasant days. There are nearly three-meter-high ceilings, a second floor carved out for a children’s bedroom that can accommodate bunk beds, a guest bedroom and a mezzanine. Upon walking through the entry hallway, the views aren’t evident, but the full reveal comes with the kitchen and living room.
Materials were chosen for resiliency, with bushfire-resistant timber cladding that performs well under the site’s weather conditions. In addition to the local spotted gum cladding, and there are also earthy plaster, Tasmanian oak, tile and brass elements lit from above by numerous skylights. Everything was chosen to imbue a sense of calm so the owners can slow down and retreat from their daily lives.
Graciously accommodating the clients, their friends and family through leisurely summers, Nebraska offers shelter and connection on an exposed site while maintaining an uninterrupted throughline to its landscape. Resilient and composed, it is a true representation of living in tune with nature.
Architecture and interior design by Lara Maeseele. Build by CWD Construction. Landscape by Jeremy Wallbank.
