New Beach Bungalow in Clifton 4th Beach

A new house situated on the large boulders of Clifton 4th beach overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The building’s development envelope (volume and geometry) is governed by the previous single storey bungalow due to the area’s unique town planning constraint. Through skillful 3d problem solving the architects included three levels comprising of a ground level for living (indoor and outdoor), first level with 3 en-suite bedrooms and a basement garage level. A staircase links the levels and orientates one back to the ocean view upon arrival on each.

The dwelling sits comfortably on the small plot. Blurred thresholds on the ground floor connect the living areas with an outdoor pool, deck and garden pockets. A heavy-set off shutter concrete base grounds the building within the site and forms the lowest level, with a hybrid steel portal and timber frame with timber cladding for the upper levels. The off shutter concrete is formed with sandblasted timber in narrow vertical widths as shuttering, mirroring the materiality and rhythm of the adjacent timber cladded facade. Openings are orientated towards the views and shuttered with louvred timber screens for sun shading and privacy. In turn, the timber screens enliven the continuous surface of the timber cladded facades.

The construction is expressed in the carefully crafted finishes and meticulous detailing thereof. Internally the heavy-set concrete is continued in a cast on site terrazzo floor and resembles the granite landscape outside. The ground floor interior is a symphony expressed in textural timber with exposed timber beams and ceilings overhead, walls paneled in oak, and wide reclaimed French oak floorboards. The occasional bow tie joint in the floor marks the material’s previous life and passage of time. The interior palette of timber and stone is highlighted by black accent details in balustrading, bathrooms and detailed fixtures. A monolithic dark grey kitchen island and moody black cabinetry anchors the kitchen within the living area. The ground floor timber clad interior rises to a datum level on the first storey, transitioning to a crisp white painted finish that echoes the origami shaped roof volume.

The result is testament to the architect, specialist artisans and builder’s commitment to master their craft and deliver a project that is exceptionally detailed and refined, yet robust enough to withstand the harsh coastal environment.