This Elevated Australian Beach Shack Has a Vaporwave Sunset Facade

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Project Details:  

Location: Middleton, Australia

Architect: RADS / @r_a_d_studio

Footprint: 2,088 square feet

Builder: 4Life Constructions

Structural Engineer: PT Design

Lighting Design: Allera Lighting

Photographer: David Sievers / @david_sievers_photography 

From the Architect: "Sunkissed Higgins pays homage to the iconic Aussie beach shack of the '70s and '80s. With blushed and bronzed tones, materiality inspired by coastal vernacular, and local community engagement, this project revives the sun-soaked nostalgia of yesteryear's coastal abodes, crafting a contemporary ode to the beach.

"The brief was to recreate experiences for the owners, Adam and Chloe, that reminded them of their favorite coastal retreats. Designed for a young family of four, Higgins is a home needing less objects and more time living and growing by the beach. Inspired by beach shacks of the 1970s, Higgins celebrates Aussie beach vernacular of the era. Coconut scented lotions, sandy feet, salty hair, bronzed bodies waxing surfboards on the front deck. Precedented by beach huts of the Mornington Peninsula and other local homes, Higgins favors the use of color on the ‘Vaporwave’ weatherboard facade, a nod to '80s 8-bit sunset imagery and a celebration of surf culture.

"Internally the home is tamed with more calming tones. To the rear of the home, a northern facing living room soaks up winter sun on the stone flooring resembling the battered cliff faces through the Fleurieu Peninsula. A private garden oasis is tucked away to the north for wind protection from the cooler days. Adam and Chloe considered contribution to landfill when undertaking the project and decided to take this little beach shack to its third iteration of being loved as a home rather than demolition and building new.

"Higgins sits on a rare eastern facing wedge shape site with views to the ocean across a local reserve. The wedge shape site provides advantage to build out and across to maximize views along the coast for social and private spaces. Whilst the home remains mostly social, private pockets are allocated for personal space. Two skate ramps have been designed to provide a duel use of what would have been inefficient driveway. Views to the ocean are maintained from the workshop at the rear of the site."