marston architects adapts narrow site into light-filled beach home in australia

marston architects adapts narrow site into light-filled beach home in australia

occupying a long and narrow site but blessed with an uninterrupted view of the coastline, this house in australia replaces a single dwelling with two terraced-like volumes. named ‘A&M house’, marston architects took the difficult plot and maximized every aspect and interior volume to give the illusion of a more generous space.

all images © katherine lu

the sydney-based studio installed sliding wall panels, glass screens and linen curtains to eliminate the use of partitioning and doors, thus allowing each room to open or close according to visual and acoustic privacy. an internal courtyard sits at the core, with the hierarchy of spaces responding through the allocation of moving screens and louvers that also encourage air movement and natural light. in addition, the south-facing roof lanterns open up the interiors to the sky and serves as a distinctive element within the house’s construction.

space was maximized at every opportunity to give the home a spacious and generous atmosphere

throughout, the curated color palette and materiality have responded to the concept of ‘lightness’; this expressed by the acute detailing and finishes seen in the interior. the surfaces have been finished in waxed stucco to reflect and refract light, which simultaneously serves as a practical factor. furthermore, the house’s close proximity to the ocean influenced the use of limestone floors, oak joinery and zinc cladding which have all been left in their natural state.

light enters the previous dark and narrow site through a series of skylights

master bedroom with ensuite

sliding wall panels, louvres and curtains were used instead of partitioning walls

glass partitioning instills a sense of openess

the design demonstrates that a large footprint is not necessary to achieve a comfortable living

the internal courtyard which separates the two volumes that belong to the same home

the project saw the single dwelling being turned into two connected volumes

the roof-lanterns are orientated to face south

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