Albany Tce

by KADA

Located in a small coastal town known for its quiet casual nature, this beautiful home provides rich textures, forms and a cosy atmosphere.

A knock on the door from new clients to create a modern, comfortable and practical beach house on a spectacular elevated site in Augusta came as the very definition of an architect’s delight.

Located on the beach-front, with only a quiet winding road between house and ocean, the site boasts panoramic views over the furthest south-west corner of the Australian continent. Overlooking the point at which the Blackwood River emerges into Flinders Bay, the town of Augusta dates back to 1830 when it was first settled and was a summer holiday town for much of the twentieth century.

Having spent a number of years embracing the quirks of their 1970s holiday home, the clients decided it was time to transform the property and enlisted Klopper & Davis Architects to bring their dreams of a modern, attractive and practical Australian beach house to life.

It became immediately clear to KADA that location would drive the design and this was articulated two-fold: firstly emphasising the impact of its location and secondly creating sheltered spaces to enjoy it from. The team recognised that the best views were from a higher vantage point than at ground, locating living and social spaces at elevation on the first floor.

Entry to the home is via an impressive gold-clad door at ground, evoking a strong sense of arrival both on approach and once inside, framed by textured walls of rammed concrete. At this level is a suite of private areas comprising (adult-size) bunk room, rumpus room and bathroom with separate entry for people, kids, dogs and boogie boards to wash off before traipsing sand through the house from the beach over the road.

A minimalist stairwell from the entry leads up to the main living floor of the house. Another two bedrooms along with functional wet areas have been snuck into the southern wing of the house. The sliding glass doors that demarcate the indoor living spaces from those out can be opened up for a seamless transition between indoors and out. A large balcony to the front of the house is protected by the timber-clad form, the perfect place to sit and watch the happenings of Flinders Bay over the road.

Following the staircase up one more flight is the master retreat, comprising master bedroom, large ensuite and robe, study, and another opportunity to take in the view via the tucked away private balcony.

Throughout the house, the interior design coordinates beautifully and sympathetically to the architecture. Textures and materials are woven through the design, featuring both inside and outside, strengthening and articulating the seamless connection between the two; a low-slung wall of locally quarried granite divides the generous living and kitchen area while the same granite envelopes the outdoor dining space just metres away.

What was once a wild and overgrown garden has been tamed. Making the most of the local silver granite synonymous with the south-west, KADA created a series of terraces rising into the backyard, starting with a graceful curved granite wall defining the outdoor dining which doubles as a place to site.