Naturally Balanced – Thirteenth Beach House by Matt Goodman Architecture Office

Located in the same named suburb, Thirteenth Beach House uses materiality to express a distinctly refined and introspective experience. As a celebration of natural beauty, Matt Goodman Architecture Office (MGAO)’s courtyard house expertly balances external minimalism with internal intimacy.

A premise of structured minimalism is established throughout the internal spaces of the coastal home. Motifs of clean edges and sharp forms, elucidated by the crisp, introspective rectangular view of the backyard framed by the hallway, create a striking first impression as guests are welcomed inside. With curated purpose, MGAO has formed a personalised courtyard house in Thirteenth Beach House, expressed through raw materiality and a defined focus.

The coastal home’s contemporary expression is established using a pinwheel design that separates communal areas with private retreats.

The coastal home’s contemporary expression is established using a pinwheel design that separates communal areas with private retreats. An enigmatic form is established, dissolving upon entry to an oasis that is flooded with natural night, sparking sentiments of calm, safety and tranquillity. Contrasting the dark, monolithic exterior, the interior has a warm material palette of 600-millimetre-thick rammed earth walls and timber decking. Separated into four clear zones, the pinwheel design allows for communal areas to flow throughout both living spaces, as well as kitchen and dining. With the central courtyard and pool sheltered from the elements, the home’s core encourages both play and recreation.

The layout of the home also allows for more intimate spaces of retreat. Fitted with ensuites, the master bedroom, children and guest bedrooms are curated as private, personal areas. This approach complements and contrasts personal spaces with communal areas, crafting an essential and dynamic balance within the family home.

The natural colour palette serves as an invitation for the family to inject their own personal styles into the interior spaces, supported by solid foundations and a textural material aesthetic.

The natural colour palette serves as an invitation for the family to inject their own personal styles into the interior spaces, supported by solid foundations and a textural material aesthetic. Curated to reflect and blend with the surrounding natural landscape, the exterior of the house is clad in raw materials, including black stained timber – a subtle reference to the home’s local setting.

Nurturing a sense of renewal, Thirteenth Beach House focuses on simple values and the importance materiality plays within a home. MGAO has designed a refuge to balance and reconnect, inviting residents to build experiences that will endure for the years to come.