Lagoon Beach House is located on the east edge of the Tamar River where it meets Bass Strait the site is surrounded by tea trees, fresh water lagoon and dunes. The residence is pragmatically organised around north point, neighbors’, privacy, contour, wind and views. The main living spaces, main bedroom and study are efficiently planned all on first floor for the comfort of two. Set carefully at a height above ground the main living level captures westerly views over boobyalla, looking westward towards the estuary and Heads. Lagoon Beach House while modernist in programme is nonetheless a contemporary shack referencing the Tasmanian shack vernacular.
A minimalist geometry reminiscent of Jean Prouve’s elegance with economy of means the upper form of a honed wooden box, vertical boards that will change colour with time, floats over its white plinth. The pure wooden geometry of the upper level is carefully set within the surrounding trees but not above them, light is grabbed by high windows, atriums over stairs and low openings with screens and circular perforations – so that with movement a sensual effect is created providing a diverse and intimate relationship between building and nature.
