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Rhythmic Calm – Whale Beach House by Studio Johnston
Whale Beach House expands and contracts as needed with grace and purpose. Studio Johnston creates a home of contrasts that welcomes a connection to the ocean and the sandstone rock below, instilling a firm sense of place within the residence.
Whale Beach House comes together with flexibility and adaptability to ensure a multigenerational function. Whilst the form sits nestled into the sandstone terrain, the weighted permanence of its concrete elements offers a sense of security and impenetrability. The extensive glazing and open terraces then bring an element of contrast and balance to the otherwise heavier materials – incorporating an enveloping sense of calm. Studio Johnson links the spaces with a shared warmth and small injections of personality, allowing for personal expression and the experience of connectedness.
Whale Beach House is a response to its distinct location. As it sits between both Palm and Whale Beaches, the form becomes a celebration of the coastal aesthetic whilst offering an immersive base for its owners. Key to the home’s adaptability was an integrated low maintenance that, combined with a selection of timeless and durable materials, would be long-lasting.
Whilst views directed outward reinforce a sense of place, the creation of private and retreat-like areas allows for peaceful immersion. Considering the engagement with the elements was a key driving force behind the home, the residence uses natural energy to reduce wasted resources – optimising solar gains and positioning openings and enclosed outdoor terraces to direct and control incoming energy and heat. Although only a narrow site, the compactness of each level groups functionality and passivity, ensuring a sense of flow and visual connection exists throughout.
