ST GEORGES BASIN

This modern holiday house is located on a long, narrow, south-facing site on the shores of St Georges Basin, two hours south of Sydney on the New South Wales east coast.

The client wanted a weekender in which all rooms were to be connected via an outdoor “verandah”. A central timber walkway connects four separate pavilions, one a utility or storage space, the second for guest accommodation, another for private accommodation, and the fourth open living spaces. The areas between the buildings are used as both private and communal courtyard areas.

The main courtyard between the accommodation and living pavilions is a large outdoor living space. The barbeque, bench and fireplace elements help to contain this space whilst the main living pavilion with its retractable glass walls to both front and back frame the view looking over the water to the south.

A steel frame and commercially glazed façade system is used to create an open and simple space with minimal detail, all other elements and details are pared back and well resolved so as not to distract from the view.

The house has been designed to accommodate a family and guests for use as a weekend retreat and holidays away from the city. The design is casual and flexible to encourage outdoor activities and entertaining. The house itself is simple and understated and sits comfortably within the site.

Photographer- Sharrin Rees