The Fan House, Aireys Inlet (in-progress)

Positioned on a sloped site that overlooks a lush, densely vegetated gully with distant views to the ocean and Aireys Inlet lighthouse, this two-storey home is designed for a growing family who spend much of their time together by the beach. The house sits centrally on the site, over the footprint of the existing dwelling, allowing the surrounding landscape to wrap around the new structure and creating a generous buffer from neighboring properties. The existing concrete parking area will be returned to native garden, enhancing the home’s integration with the coastal environment.

The curved form of the building is shaped to optimize solar access from the north while also embracing sweeping views of the coastline. Nestled into the existing bench of the topography, the design minimizes its visual impact from the street and adjacent lots. On the ground floor, a partly suspended slab houses a carport and storage, which then steps up to a timber sub-floor containing three bedrooms, a bathroom, powder room, laundry, and a central staircase. The upper level includes an open plan living, dining, and kitchen space, complete with a walk-in pantry and powder room. A separate master bedroom wing incorporates a walk-in robe, ensuite, rumpus, and study.