Point Perry Beach House by Owen and Vokes

The coastal beach house has, in many ways, developed nuances of a national building style, an evolving identity coming to par with the ‘wool shed’ and ‘federation home’. But when a new owner calls for a new intervention, how do you improve on a classic?

Recipient of the 2010 AIA Sunshine Coast House of the Year Award, Point Perry Beach House was originally designed in the 1990s, only to be transformed by architects Owen and Vokes after a client’s referral by Lindsay Clare, the home’s original architect. The manipulation of the existing building and landscape surrounds generated new spaces and experiences for the home’s new owner, exploring sensory emotions between enclosure and pleasure whilst instilling the presence of nature.

Owen and Vokes’ careful intervention was to adhere to the client’s request to retain the inherent character of the existing house. The brief called for covered car accommodation (where there hadn’t been previously), refurbished kitchen and bathrooms, and an additional two bedrooms and bathrooms.

Designing in a tight building envelope with strict height controls, regulations and remnant vegetation preservation agendas, Owen and Vokes saw opportunities in constraints in their new envisioned program. The extension was kept as narrow, economical, and thoughtful as possible, bridging over an existing pool in order to preserve the largest amount of open space. Other intelligent spatial strategies saw the placement of a daybed in the master bedroom to accommodate for the required head height of the stair under, overlooking expansive, clear blue ocean views.

The circulation of the house across five levels had the potential of being a tedious and formidable design outcome, yet in poetic detail, Owen and Vokes was to successfully vary the primary circulation route. The intervention extended the circulation diagram so that the promenade through the site was to predominately occur outdoors, adjacent to the surrounding gardens or in reach of panoramic views.

The topography and surrounds were key design considerations to be valued for the new extension. In the midst of sweeping ocean views, Owen and Vokes have emphasised a modest counterpoint, a remnant of vegetation to the rear of the site that juxtaposes as a dense, shaded reprieve from panorama and sky. The preservation and manipulation of the existing built and natural topography play on new connections between the living spaces and the garden.

The uses of new materials have provided a thoughtful contrast to the original fabric that generates new spatial moods throughout the extended house. Significant overhangs allow for comfortable shading and protection, whilst openings within the new extension and existing house are increased for maximum airflow and cross ventilation.

Embedded within the landscape, masonry elements respectfully manage the levels across the site, forming new outdoor spaces whilst embedding the fibro-clad extension into the hillside. Also embedded into the steep site, the new concrete garage reclaims garden space on its roof that is overlooked by living spaces and decks above.

A new entry point to the house was established through minor excavation that revealed a courtyard space where there had previously been a timber pool deck. The new entry courtyard, positioned at the centre of the site in vertical and horizontal planes, is accessed by climbing external stairs from street level.

The project is unified by its circulation as the existing internal stairs link to both the external stairs from the street and the open-air circulation of the extension.

Within the new extension, a linear verandah provides unified access to the extension’s bedrooms and bathrooms, culminating in a daybed nestled into the fringe of the remnant vegetation.

Owen and Vokes’ intervention of unifying the old and new is one that is thoughtful and respectful to what was existing, original, and envisioned. In adding, amending and manipulating built forms and their surrounds, Point Perry Beach House is an invaluable treasure that frames views out towards the landscape and beyond. +

PHOTOGRAPHY Jon Linkins

1. Designed within a tight building envelope, the extension bridges over an existing pool to retain the largest amount of open space. 2. The preservation of dense, shaded vegetation acts as a modest counterpoint and reprieve amidst the sweeping coastal landscape. 3. New openings wash the interior surfaces with daylight whilst increasing maximum airflow and cross ventilation. 4. A warm, timber verandah links the bedrooms as vertical louvre elements control daylight entering in. 5 & 6. Owen & Vokes’ intervention called for a newly renovated kitchen, where abstract wall and ceiling surfaces are kept a pristine white, contrasting with the warmer, tactile timber flooring, joinery and furnishings.