Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Ocean Breezes Blow Right Through This Modern Australian Beach Shack

Ocean Breezes Blow Right Through This Modern Australian Beach Shack

This airy home makes the most of its beachside location with sustainable design, careful siting, and an expansive glazed facade.

The Hart House by Casey Brown Architecture is located just about 18 miles north of Sydney, Australia-but it feels worlds away. Perched on a hill overlooking Great Mackerel Beach, the home opens up to the wide expanse of ocean beyond.



The Hart House is perched between a steep cliff and the grand expanse of ocean below.

Casey Brown Architecture conceived of the residence as an updated and modern version of the typical one-room Australian beach shack. It's designed as a simple box closed to all sides but one, which opens to the beach below. The building is wrapped in a protective shell made out of corrugated metal, which shelters it from the harsh salty air, cold winters, southerly winds, and brushfire-prone landscape.



The beach shack's corrugated metal shell is detailed with curved edges. The building faces northeast to take advantage of ample sunlight and ocean views.



The view from the home towards the water, sky, and surrounding cliffs.

Steep cliffs with abundant foliage lie above the home. Below, a series of stone terraces and steps lead down to the beach. The main level of the home consists of a single double-height space with dining, kitchen, and living areas, as well as a utility core with a bathroom and pantry. A lofted mezzanine sits above the utility core.



The home's punched windows are shaded by Cor-Ten steel.

The wall facing the water has generous floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open up completely to the outside deck. Carefully placed punched windows provide passive cross ventilation to the other three sides of the home.



The interior features durable materials (like birch plywood and concrete) that can withstand the harsh oceanside climate.

Large panes of glass at the clerestory level allow sunlight to brighten the room. Just off the large, double-height space lies a small studio that also looks directly out to the water. The basement level holds the bedroom with an en suite bathroom and direct access to a terrace constructed from sandstone sourced on-site.



The angle of the roof is oriented to take full advantage of sun and views. The ceiling is a simple white surface that reflects light.

One of the clients is a ceramicist, so Casey Brown Architecture selected the project's materials based on quality, tactility, and texture. The interior spaces are clad in birch plywood, with timber flooring and concrete benches.



The main level opens up to provide complete access to the deck.

The exterior and interior flooring, decking, and window and door frames are made from spotted gum-a type of eucalyptus tree commonly found in Australia that is known for its sustainability and resistance to fire.



The kitchen, dining, and living area features simple furnishings and a neutral palette-the views are the focal point in the design.

The corrugated metal shell strikes contrast with the weathered steel door and window frames, tying in to the red hues of the spotted gum. The roof holds several solar panels and rainwater harvesting equipment, and waste is processed on-site, which gives the home a light carbon footprint.



The bedroom takes advantage of ocean views with glazed doors and louvered windows.



The interior finishes in the bedroom and adjacent bathroom are similar to those on the main floor: birch plywood, concrete, and neutral tones.



The basement features a bedroom and en suite bathroom that open directly onto a sandstone terrace.



The main floor is accessed through an entry deck from a series of terraces and staircases leading up from the water.



The one-bedroom home sits perched on the cliff, oriented towards the water.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×