Beachfront Transformation

This project is, without a doubt, one of the most profound transformations PdD Building Design has completed. The fresh, contemporary aesthetic of this south coast beach house is perfectly suited to its esplanade location. The carefully considered design creates a safe-harbour - a family retreat - whilst simultaneously embracing the broad expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

The original dwelling was one of the plainest concrete block beach-shacks remaining on this highly desirable strip overlooking the dunes of Broulee Beach on the NSW south coast. The striking make-over now stops traffic in this quiet town; SL Building Co. has beautifully realised the refined style and crisp forms of the design, making it completely unrecognisable from its former self.

The recently acquired house had quickly become a much-loved family home but was long-overdue some attention. Whilst it had some cute original features and pleasant north-east aspect, it was dated and felt short on space upstairs, low on light downstairs, and lacking flow, connection throughout.

Our brief was to create two additional bedrooms downstairs to complement the reimagined entry, rumpus, and family bathroom, in addition to a new double garage. Upstairs required larger kitchen and indoor/outdoor living areas opening both to coastal front and leafy rear aspects. A new main bedroom suite would complete upstairs, sharing the front deck and capitalising on the premium outlook.

The additional internal floor area was partially created by claiming the footprint of a disused carport and rickety deck along the north side, still leaving a practical side yard for access and sunlight. The deep front setback allowed for the new garage to be placed in front of the existing house structure, and the side entry door minimises its visual impact on the street-front façade.

Updated bathrooms and glazing create a beautiful interior, and weatherboard style cladding offers a classic facelift to the old, painted concrete block. These upgrades work to create a home that not only is beautiful to look at but is a more energy efficient house, comfortable to live and grow in, in all seasons for years to come.

A generous front deck replaced the narrow balcony, its idyllic north-east aspect amplifying the living space and generating a strong connection to the site. The structure works also, to recreate the iconic under-croft quality to the entry below, offering a deep sheltered area along the eastern frontage: essential for sandy shake-downs and beach stuff.

The neglected rear aspect has also been embraced: the expanded kitchen flows out to a sheltered bbq deck nestled among established trees. Stairs continue down to the rear yard where children’s bedrooms and rumpus room spill out, enjoying the new flow of this breezy coastal design.