Commendation: Housing

This is an article from the Architecture Australia archives and may use outdated formatting

Merimbula House

Commendation Housing

Clinton Murray


This courtyard residence, on the crest of a hill overlooking the beaches of Merimbula, NSW, was produced as a holiday home for Melbourne clients of a family of inventors and builders creatively led by architect Clinton Murray. The house is crafted almost entirely of recycled timbers, with the main hardwood beams and columns salvaged from obsolete bridges then clad externally with yellow stringybark boards laid horizontally. In response to the exposed site and to provide privacy from the street, it has a C-shaped plan wrapping around a swimming pool set into a large timber deck. On the south-west (coast) side, there is a two-storey zone, above parking, which includes living areas and a bedroom on the lower level and a private suite above. These rooms have balconies facing the Pacific and windows to the pool court. The two easterly arms are single-storied, with bedrooms, bathrooms and a laundry opening off the entry foyer and hall.

top Central pool court. left Entry hall with kitchen at right.

The house is a delight and reflects the harmony between the architect as designer and his brother as builder. The plan is based around a central courtyard which forms the heart of the scheme, not only creating a sun trap and protected outdoor living area but also providing a focus for the whole house.

The attention to detail is admirable, as is the use of recycled timbers and materials. Each material used has its own inherent quality and beauty.

The house takes full advantage of its site, providing a range of spaces for its inhabitants, and is entirely appropriate for its location and intended function


Water chute to pool.
House at Merimbula, NSW
Architect Clinton Murray— project team Clinton Murray, Andrew Murray, Maxwell Murray. Built-in Furniture Clinton Murray, Paul Morris. Joinery and Doors Pambula Joinery. Lighting Consultant Geoffrey Mance. Engineer Andrew Marshman & Associates. Builder MF Murray. Photographer Janusz Molinski.

Source

Archive

Published online: 1 Nov 1997

Issue

Architecture Australia, November 1997

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