Patonga House
Patonga House by Casey Brown Architecture makes spectacular use of salvaged and recycled timbers to create a coastal residence that is warm, generous and bursting with history.
In a small, beachside village at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, Patonga House sits alongside weatherboard cottages and towering Norfolk pines. Inspired by the nostalgic summers of the owner’s childhood, the design embraces the idea of “wearing in, not wearing out,” constructed completely in a range of recycled timbers that will allow it to age gracefully in its coastal setting.
Elevated on a concrete platform to protect against tidal surges, two modest timber pavilions enclose a sheltered courtyard, creating a sense of privacy and protection while opening the home up to sea breezes. “When you open the front door… it brings the beach plus the atmosphere of the two enormous Norfolk pines in the front yard right into the house,” says architect Rob Brown. Inside, the compact plan accommodates up to 12 people, with warm, generous spaces and flexible indoor-outdoor living areas.
Facing south-west on the water, the architecture takes its cues from a shell – with a rustic, rugged exterior and an inside that is beautifully smooth and rich. Timber is favoured throughout for its durability, warmth and history. “As each board and each post and each beam is slightly different, it’s got a story.” He notes that the choice of a completely timber interior was “to expose the structure, show the bones, show how it was put together, and its wonderful recycling of history.”
Due to the double-height, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, one of the challenges was finding timber boards of the right size. These large structural beams were ultimately salvaged from a disused Clarence River bridge and measure an incredible 11 metres long.
Meanwhile, the kitchen island is constructed from original Burmese teak recycled from a CSIRO lab. The internal doors are made from mixed reclaimed hardwoods, while locally sourced spotted gum completes the interiors and exteriors. In the heart of the living space, a bespoke brass fireplace screen stretches all the way to the ceiling, acting as the home’s sculptural centrepiece.
Reuse and sustainability were top of mind for the architects when designing Patonga House. “One’s always got to be mindful of the materials in a building,” says Brown. “In a building like this, where nearly the entire inside and outside is made of recycled timber, using the right materials goes a long way in making it a very sustainable, energy-friendly house.”
