Jury comment
This modest house celebrates simplicity. Through an exploration of the weekender type and how life is played out in such circumstances, the architect has assembled a clear set of rules that embrace trusted architectural techniques, sensitively reflecting an architectural past. A compact floor plan has been carefully resolved around a central courtyard, which expands the apparent sense of space. The minimum elements of weekend necessity (kitchen, single bathroom and barbecue) are arranged in a direct and disciplined manner, yet this small house accommodates up to thirteen guests comfortably. The material palette is robust and appropriate to the site and surrounding context, responding with honesty to the rules determined at the outset. While this house is modest in its intentions, it successfully demonstrates the maturity and self-discipline required when working with a limited budget. Available for the joy of others, the house delivers much from little and provides a refined model for a sustainable future.
Read a review of Merricks Beach House from Houses 88.
See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.
Award for New House under 200m2 supported by Artedomus.
Products and materials
- Roofing
- Lysaght Custom Orb in Colorbond ‘Jasper’.
- External walls
- Recycled red bricks with flush mortar painted Haymes ‘Worn White’; undressed local mill hardwood fixed to plywood substrate.
- Internal walls
- Timber lining boards and recycled red bricks with flush mortar, both painted Haymes ‘Worn White’.
- Windows
- Patron Windows hardwood timber windows with black satin finish.
- Flooring
- Polished concrete slab with clear seal; Hycraft Carramar carpet in ‘Coal Ash’.
- Lighting
- Masson For Light.
- Kitchen
- Miele gas cooktop, oven, exhaust and dishwasher; Homestead Cabinets and Furniture benchtop with integrated sinks; door and drawer fronts in black laminate with solid timber edge strip and pantry doors in white laminate; Academy Tiles white hexagonal ceramic tile splashback; Reece Yeva chrome mixer.
- Bathroom
- Porcher Cygnet toilet; Mizu basin; Reece Yeva shower mixer; Sussex Pol Rail Shower shower head; Homestead Cabinets and Furniture joinery in white laminate with solid timber edge strip.
- Heating and cooling
- Nectre slow combustion wood fire; Hunter Pacific Concept 2 ceiling fans.
Credits
- Project
- Merricks Beach House
- Architect
- Kennedy Nolan Architects
Melbourne, Vic, Australia
- Project Team
- Rachel Nolan, Patrick Kennedy, Michael Macleod
- Consultants
-
Builder
Matt Johnson Building Services
Engineer Keith Long and Associates
- Site Details
-
Location
Merricks Beach,
Melbourne,
Vic,
Australia
Site type Coastal
Site area 850 m2
Building area 155 m2
- Project Details
-
Status
Built
Design, documentation 6 months
Construction 9 months
Category Residential
Type New houses
- Client
-
Client name
Rachel Nolan
