M2 House - McAnally Drive Sunshine Beach

This new beach house at Sunshine Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, south of Noosa Heads, was originally intended as an alteration and addition to an existing run down two storey brick and tile cottage.  Our client for whom we had previously designed a Brisbane residence in 2006, had been regular visitors to Sunshine Beach and found the existing house with “potential”.

The proposed renovation involved complete demolition of the upper level, construction of a new upper floor at an increased height to capitalise on east facing ocean views, and renovation of the ground level.  The project was designed, documented and tendered on this basis.  Upon commencement and partial demolition, the builder and structural engineer advised that the existing ground level perimeter brick walls lacked structural integrity.  It was therefore decided to demolish all of the existing house apart from the concrete slab and footings.

The original house footprint remained the diagram of the new house.  The modest plan size was considered desirable for both sustainability and cost reasons.  Our brief was to design a small informal beach house that could become an eventual retirement home for our clients.  The upper level is designed for the day to day living of a couple, with the ground level providing casual accommodation for holiday guests.

The relatively simple programme, fixed modest budget, and constraint of an existing footprint forced a degree of discipline upon the architectural design team.  The living spaces have been pared-down and wet areas minimised.  However, the relatively open plan and use of varying volumes within the house provide a feeling of spaciousness.  The living areas flow onto an upper level eastern deck and lower level garden (an existing plunge pool was retained in the back yard).

Our practice has been researching the work of mid century modern Queensland architects and we have been inspired by the simple and modest plans developed during this era.  In particular, the work of Hayes and Scott Architects was discussed with our client and we have incorporated some of the ideas of lightness, rational planning and use of colour, as demonstrated by Hayes and Scott.

The M2 House is located on a sloping site at the northern end of Sunshine Beach, close to the Noosa National Park.  The north/south sloping site is square and has sweeping eastern views to the ocean from the upper level.  An objective was to maximise the height of the upper level while remaining under the 8 metre height limit set by the local authority.

The floor plan and roof section were sculpted to maximise views and solar aspect.  The main roof over the living areas folds up to the north to allow clerestory windows to the north and east.

Openings have been designed to capitalise on views to the ocen as well as framed views to the western hinterland.

The upper level has been cantilevered over the solid base and upper folded roof planes hover further beyond the upper level.  The intention is to create a light weight building that is responsive to its site and respectful of Sunshine Coast beach architecture.  A generous light filled stair void provided a visual and physical connection between the levels.

Splashes of colour in slender round steel external columns are a further reference to Hayes and Scott and playful beach architecture.

This house was very economical to construct and uses traditional building techniques and materials.

A combination of lightweight fibrous cement sheeting in plank, modular panel and flat sheets have been used for external cladding.  These light materials contrast with a bagged and painted brick base which assists to ground the house into its sandy site.  Wide overhangs and awnings protect windows and shade walls.  Low “e” glazing provides additional solar control.  Perimeter walls and roofs are well insulated.  The compact plan also provides good cross ventilation throughout.  Roof water is harvested and stored in an underground tank below the carport.  This water is used for garden irrigation and pool topping up.

 

Architectural Team | Robert Biscoe, Marion Wilson, Winson Leung, Matthew Sevenhayzi

Builder | John Mortimer Construction (with Steve Carson and Bruce Smith)

Structural Engineer | SCG Consulting Engineers

Photographer | Anne Langdon Photography