This modern Bahaman-styled beach cottage is largely characterized by its high, angled roof that frames the home’s widespread windows and the inviting waterfront terrace below. The Couran Point house was designed by the architects of Australia’s Arkhefield firm and located in South Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia.
The home’s north and south facades are closed off, shielding the home from both its neighbors and the stering summer sun. In addition to its thoughtful placement, this modern design incorporates sustainable features like solar technology, rainwater recycling, renewable bamboo cladding and thermally efficient monolithic flooring.
The home’s 3,821-sq.-ft. interior is divided into distinct “public” and “private” living spaces. A double-height living room promotes interaction, while the private wing of two separate levels removes the bedrooms and service areas from the rest of the house.
Conceptual Framework
The core drivers behind the build were maximising space and privacy, sheltering from the predominant south-easterly wind/weather front and creating a simple, low maintenance, sustainable living volume which could be enjoyed all year round. The isolation of the site and the harsh climatic conditions on the island are evident in the simplicity of the structure, the choice of basic, low maintenance materials and in the ability which the house is able to isolate, reorientate and shut down against the elements.
Response to Client and User Needs
Our clients desire to recreate a ‘Bahaman’ styled beach cottage with shingled pitched roofs and quaint shuttered windows made for a challenging brief. They wanted the house to take them back to the memorable vacations they had spent in exotic locations.
Through exploration and development, it became evident that decoration and themed architecture may enable brief relapses into the bygone but that intelligent design and the creation of flexible spaces stimulated communal interaction which was what really recreated that relaxed holiday atmosphere they were seeking. They are extremely happy and are enjoying their ‘Contemporary Bahaman’ cottage which they have aptly named ‘the shed’ out on Stradbroke Island.
Architect: Arkhefield [AF employees] - Director, Andrew Gutteridge
Project/Design Architect: Simon Wynn
Project Team: Justin Boland, Julie Tomaszewski
Building Surveyor: Bennett & Francis
Construction completed: July 2006
Hydraulic: BRW Enterprises
Interior Designer: Arkhefield
Landscape: JW Concepts
Lighting: Arkhefield
Structural: McVeigh Consulting Engineers / Steel House Frames Australia
Structure and Frame: Steel House Frames Australia
Builder: Clarke Construction (Kelwyn Cassidy, Steven Parker)
Gross floor area: 355 m2
Project cost per square metre: Client wishes this to be kept confidential
Photography: Scott Burrows
