Amongst the oversized residences on the Esplanade at Somerton Park, clients Gary and Julie’s home stands out. This new build is the only single storey house on that stretch and, with its restrained mid-century-style design, it makes passers-by stop to take it all in. The retired couple originally approached MPGA with a simple concept sketch. Max, his daughter and architect Tess Pritchard and their team, then nailed the brief.
“It’s the norm in a prime location like this to fill a site to the absolute brink, and include basement parking and maximum levels that tower above the beach,” says Tess. “But this typology disconnects from that quintessential Aussie beach joy and the dream of stepping from your living area directly to the beach.”
Instead, the architects gave the new structure space to breathe, imbuing it with a sense of lightness that begins with a cantilevered terrace. This slim ‘wafer’ at the base of the building makes the house appear to touch the ground lightly, and once the garden matures, the home will look like it’s floating. Step inside and the calming minimalist aesthetic continues, spliced with a timber ramp that leads to the generously sized, open plan living areas.
The kitchen, dining and lounge wrap a thoughtfully conceived internal courtyard that includes tropical plants inspired by the clients’ time spent living in Darwin. It’s also here that Max and Tess have some fun with the home’s primarily white scheme by introducing pink and orange walls, in what is an understated nod to Luis Barragán. Both colours reference the sunset, and along with the yellow eaves and front door, add warmth to the property, as well as put a smile on pretty much everyone’s face.
As Gary reflects, “the house feels calm and grounded… with the sea and sky constantly changing, the courtyard offers stability and peace, while the architecture enhances those contrasts rather than competing with them.
“It’s also very much a house for gathering – there’s an ease to the space that invites people to relax and let go, which is a reminder that good architecture doesn’t need to shout.”
Other pops of colour feature in the clients’ collection of artworks, as well as the initially-met-with-hesitation yet incredibly appealing choice of burnt orange carpet in the bedrooms. Otherwise, white walls and burnished concrete floors prevail throughout, with the kitchen’s oak joinery a stylish counterpart to the statement white island. And while the home may be defined by MPGA’s characteristic sense of lightness, the quality of light they’ve also achieved internally is nothing short of stunning.
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The home is positioned to take advantage of both western and northern aspects, so sunlight streams in. Coupled with views of the ocean, it makes the living areas, which feature full-height windows, the place to be, regardless of season.
Natural light is tempered by venetians and their elegant shadows add to the horizontality of the design, as well as enveloping the interior with a dreamy quality tinged with an air of nostalgia for beachside days of years gone by. It’s a deceptively simple design that impressively engages with all the senses, but more importantly, it provides clients Gary and Julie with their comfortable forever home – a space that is welcoming and incredibly liveable.
