Modern Australian Beach House with Architectural Flair 🏖️

Located on the traditional land of the Yuin People, Bermagui Beach House by Winter Architecture showcases the adaptability of masonry and how it connects the interiors and architecture with the landscape and water beyond. In this exclusive film series in partnership with Brickworks, architects Jean Graham and Helen Pallot take us on a private tour through a tranquil coastal holiday home fit for extended family.

Utilizing the inherent thermal mass of Austral Bricks, the Bermagui Beach House is an exercise in structural durability and environmental sync. The masonry blockwork acts as a grounding spine, facilitating a seamless transition between the interior and the rugged Sapphire Coast landscape. By integrating a central courtyard typology and kinetic timber screens, Winter Architecture has optimized natural ventilation and solar orientation, creating a high-performance coastal retreat that prioritizes architectural longevity and material honesty.

Winter Architecture were brought on board to reinvent an existing weatherboard shack that had been in the family for decades. To tap into the spirit and story of why the family come to Bermagui, the beach house was completely redesigned, fusing informal character with clean minimalism. A timber-clad exterior envelopes the structure, while blockwork from Austral Bricks becomes the primary material that continues the flow from the exterior to the interior.

The structure features three pavilions and sits on the rear boundary of the site to engage the full scope of the landscaping while orientating to the ocean vistas. At the northernmost point, the main living pavilion centres itself toward the views. An open-plan kitchen spills into the dining, dropping into the living room where an Obliqa Ergo Focus suspended fireplace anchors the room.

The Architect’s Perspective: "The materiality will age over time; the steel and timber blend together, but the order of the masonry is what is truly critical to this home," explains Jean Graham. "Everything is carefully controlled and paired back so that when you come here, you can be restful. We wanted to create a sense of journey—the doors slide entirely into the walls, allowing natural light to move across the blockwork and follow the shadow of the batons. It is a play setting for beautiful moments where you can truly feel like part of the sea.".

Chapters
0:00 - Introduction: A Multigenerational Legacy in Bermagui
0:38 - Concept: A Space for New Memories and Exploration
1:06 - Architectural Journey: Discovering the Views Beyond
1:33 - Interior Artwork: The Landscape as the Primary Canvas
1:55 - Materiality: The Aging Beauty of Timber, Steel, and Masonry
2:15 - Structural Order: Using Blockwork for Restful Design
2:54 - Detail: Kinetic Screens and Shifting Sunlight
3:26 - Resilience: How Masonry Withstands the Coastal Environment
3:41 - The Heart of the Home: Obliqa Ergo Focus Fireplace
4:17 - Conclusion: Tapping into the Spirit of the Sea

Credits & Links:
Read the feature: https://estliving.com/film-bermagui-winter-architecture/
Produced in partnership with Brickworks: https://estliving.com/tag/brickworks/
Location: Eora Country / Sydney, Australia
Design by Winter Architecture
Landscape by Kelly Royle Landscape Architecture
Fireplace: Obliqa
Published and produced by Miffy Coady | estliving.com
Filmed and edited by Cheer Squad for est living
Film project manager: Lidia Boniwell | estliving.com
Editor: Sophie Lewis | estliving.com
Words by Megan Rawson
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