Located approximately 20 kilometers from the town of Devonport, Shearwater has established itself as a top summer holiday destination in Tasmania in recent years. The pristine beaches and Narawntapu National Park are just a stone's throw from the port. Since Shearwater House is located directly on the Shearwater Promenade, the architects at Cumulus Studio decided to take full advantage of this prime location. Shearwater House rises above sand dunes and low-growing shrubs and has beautiful sea views. Thanks to the weathered wooden facade, the modern house blends perfectly into the surrounding natural landscape.
Flat roof house with views of the sand dunes and the sea
The house hasover a flat roofand is characterized by classic building elements. To soften the silhouette of the house somewhat, curved cutouts were added to the roof and white-painted brickwork was added to the ground floor. On the upper floor the focus is on the spacious living areas andfloor-to-ceiling windowsto the north and east, allowing views of the beach.
The slightly weathered wooden facade has a particularly natural appearance
Various local types of wood are used throughout the interior, creating a cozy living ambience. The architects aimed for a contrast between fine wooden furniture and the weathered wooden facade. This also creates an interesting transition between the warm-looking interiors and the unpredictable coastal elements outside.
The tiered outdoor pool and entertainment area on the ground floor echoes the colors and materials of the balcony above. The wooden decking is designed to take on the color of the driftwood from Freers Beach over time. A new tree will also be planted in the courtyard, which will grow through and beyond the cutout in the roof.
Natural facade made of thermowood planks
Products from various reputable manufacturers including Austral Bricks, Cedar Sales, Cemintel, Graphisoft, Trimble were used in this project. Thermowood from Lunawood is used outside. It is a beautiful, sustainable wood material made using natural methods such as heat and steam. The color of the wood is influenced by the treatment temperature and duration - the higher the temperature, the darker the appearance.
As with all softwoods, there are variations due to different densities. When exposed to UV light, the product will turn a beautiful silver gray unless protected by a pigmented surface protectant.
Lunawood produces thermowood from Scandinavian PEFC-certified pine and spruce from Finland. Due to the high temperature of the thermowood treatment process, resin is removed from the wood. It is dimensionally stable, rot-resistant, non-toxic and can be used indoors or outdoors in any climate.
Ort:Shearwater, Tasmanien
Year:2018
Architect:Cumulus Studio
Pictures:Angie Blair
