A Rural Coastal Vernacular – Port Willunga by Mountford Williamson

Inspired by the rural sheds found dotting the Fleurieu Peninsula, Port Willunga Beach House is envisioned as an inhabited shed, of sorts. Mountford Williamson combines the familiar agricultural vernacular together with a coastal robustness to propose a framework for the informal occasional home.

Nestled in amongst the popular fabric of coastal homes along South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Port Willunga Beach House expresses a considered contextual appropriateness. Taking heed from its surrounding rural shed structures, the form is both familiar and finely detailed. Proposed as a shed to live in, it encompasses conveniences of the contemporary urban setting, set within a series of robust materials chosen for the endurance and economic efficiency. Sitting under the one elongated roof structure, the formal planning is broken by a series of courtyards that allow for periodic reliefs in the façade and help outline the internal zones, while connecting to an external element. Mountford Williamson offers an unexpected use of a familiar typology to propose an informal and approachable occasional home.

Nestled in amongst the popular fabric of coastal homes along South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Port Willunga Beach House expresses a considered contextual appropriateness.

The curated series of courtyards within the building envelope allow for the interiors to capture northern sunlight and for a stepped separation between the passive and active areas of the home. Through the integration of moveable façade elements such as sliding timber screens and retractable awnings, these open pockets become an extension of the interior and their own communal spaces. Designed as a destination for entertaining and gathering, drawing from the strong sense of community in the area, the response to the brief was to create a home base where an expat family could all gather when returning to the area. The outcome was cost-effective, while achieving the primary goals of a relaxed, informal and inclusive home.

Mountford Williamson combines the familiar agricultural vernacular together with a coastal robustness to propose a framework for the informal occasional home.

Connecting deliberately to both a coastal and a rural aesthetic, the architectural materiality speaks to a hardiness and durability. The form is clad in a combination of galvanised iron sheeting and Australian hardwood timber, on a solid base of concrete, anchoring the seemingly lightweight structure to its site. Each of these comprising elements are selected to weather, and their patina and patterning will come an expression of the passage of time. Internally, Mountford Williamson collaborated with Fabrikate, to design interiors that continue the references to the site and its surrounding language, adopted through a simplified approach to timber and mesh joinery.

Connected to its site and providing the congenial stage for its visitors to all convene upon, Port Willunga Beach House take a little from the known, and mixes in contemporary and well-honed detailing to express the design’s simplicity with precision.

Port Willunga Beach House take a little from the known, and mixes in contemporary and well-honed detailing to express the design’s simplicity with precision.