Surfside House by Richard Cole Architecture

Balancing solidity with transparency, Surfside House opens to views of Avalon Beach while providing refuge within its robust concrete structure and sandstone block walls.

Perched on a headland in Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Surfside House is a home of “substance, discovery and tactility,” says Richard Cole of Richard Cole Architecture. “Substance comes from the heavy presence of the stonework and concrete structure; discovery because it doesn’t reveal itself all at once – there are different paths and lots of detail to explore; and tactility because the materials are made to touch and weather over time.” The brief for the home was grounded in the amalgamation of two lots into one site, and the desire for a relaxed beachside dwelling for an extended family. “It needed to be a walk-in, walk-out house so it could cope with sand and salt and everything that goes along with beachside living.”

“The black, reflective finish of the V-ZUG appliances is beautiful as you can see the reflection of the beach and the ocean from the surfaces.”

Entering from the street, one arrives at a double-height entrance hall, which drops away from the staircase to the ground floor, or one can move through a walkway into the main living area. The entrance is flanked by two large sandstone walls with a sliver of a skylight that directs the view through to the western boundary and existing grass trees. An open-plan living, kitchen and dining space opens up to views of Avalon Beach and the sprawling palms and gum trees beyond, while the bedrooms are more private.

The kitchen is large and tactile, with a wall of joinery adding intimacy to the space, while a long island bench is a piece of furniture in itself. V-ZUG appliances integrate beautifully with the joinery. “The black, reflective finish of the V-ZUG appliances is beautiful as you can see the reflection of the beach and the ocean from the surfaces.” Throughout the rest of the home, a restrained palette of materials, dominated by neutral tones and timber, imbues warmth and a sense of calm while robust qualities mean the materials will endure the salty conditions and weather beautifully over time.

“The beautiful thing about the stone is that it’s a consistent material which has this wonderful variation in colour and texture and a striking level of detail.”

Given its beachside location, spending time outdoors is central to the owner’s lifestyle. “The garden and landscape are just as important as the architecture,” notes Cole. Along with various balcony spaces, the building integrates seamlessly with the garden: stone walls extend out into the garden, creating a series of terraces that drop down the site in a way that embeds the building within the landscape. “The main feature of the house is probably the stonework,” says Cole. “The beautiful thing about the stone is that it’s a consistent material which has this wonderful variation in colour and texture and a striking level of detail.”

The result is a coastal oasis that beautifully responds to the site and the relaxed mood of its laidback beachside locale. “The level of commitment to the job really shows up in the detail and quality of construction – there is a genuine and authentic care that’s manifested in the house, which is wonderful to see.”

Architecture and interior design by Richard Cole Architecture. Appliances by V-ZUG. Production by The Local Production.