Modern Queenslander – Sunshine Beach House by Sealand Architects
Imagined as the ultimate contemporary home for its active family, Sunshine Beach House embraces its connections to the surrounding landscape and natural elements. Sealand Architects propose a modern homage to the traditional Queenslander home, anchored to its site, through freshly linear gestures.
Located in Queensland’s Sunshine Beach, the same-named home captures the spirit of its family of surfers and their connection to the ocean. In a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Queenslander style home, the resulting approach actively engages with the outdoors, and embraces elements of sun, surf and sand in its translation into materiality and a shared openness. Controlled openings mitigate the incoming harsh sun and allow natural illumination in a measured way, enhancing the feel and comfort of being within the space and allowing natural ventilation to cool the home. The treatment of thresholds was a particular focus, dissolving the traditional boundaries between inside and out, and allowing natural flow and movement through the zones, and between. Sealand Architects combine a lightness in their contemporary formality, together with a robustness to suit its front to the nearby ocean.
Referencing the traditional slatted timber features of the surrounding and more traditional homes in the area, Sunshine Beach House creates their own interpretation in a contemporary way. Between each opening and the streetscape, a similar language of horizontal timber elements mediates full light from entering and adds a textural and warming feature to the façade. Each opening sit within a light masonry mass, and offers a balance, connecting the home to the natural. Taking inspiration from the surrounds, a palette of muted timbers, both light and dark, are brought together with textural plaster and exposed concrete to create a robust and low maintenance feel for the home. The combining of local timbers then reinforces a connection to place. From there, textile, furniture, lighting and artwork is layering into the spaces, further adding richness and depth.
While the proximity to the ocean is celebrated, the pool on the property becomes an extension of the home and sits in a transitionary point between the home and the coast. Ensuring these transitions felt natural and unforced was key, and the placement of the living and kitchen areas on the same ground floor ensured this. The upper level then sees the more receding and private spaces of bedrooms and bathrooms, with smaller openings and a more intimate feel. As one ascends the home, an increased feeling of enclosure subtly embraces its residents.
