Houzz Tour: A Small Sydney Beach Cottage is Transformed
Despite logistical challenges, a dark Australian beach hut is transformed into a unique, open space with copper accents
Owner Jeremy lived for years in an 1830s cottage in need of serious repair in the densely populated Sydney beachside suburb of Coogee. Although the cottage was dark, cold in winter and hot in summer, with no cross-ventilation, Jeremy deeply valued its seclusion, serenity and proximity to the beach and city, and saw the potential for something quite special. It was originally hoped that the cottage’s ‘bones’ could be reworked in an extensive renovation, but due to the deteriorated condition and the fact that it significantly crossed a boundary, this was just not viable. What followed was a philosophical and logistical journey to create a unique new home on a long, sloping, narrow site. Welcome to the Copper House, a tranquil, open and dimensional small home that resourcefully welcomes the ocean air, sunlight, trees and greenery.
As architect Brent Dunn of partnership Takt l Studio for Architecture reflects, ‘one’s place in time’ was central to the concept for the Copper House.
Owner Jeremy, Brent and co-designer Katharina Hendel were friends and had shared many informal discussions about the practical considerations in transforming the home and also subtler themes around ‘patterns and rituals of living, dialogue between longevity and decay, and quality of space and place: how spaces shape people as much as the other way around,’ says Brent.
Owner Jeremy, Brent and co-designer Katharina Hendel were friends and had shared many informal discussions about the practical considerations in transforming the home and also subtler themes around ‘patterns and rituals of living, dialogue between longevity and decay, and quality of space and place: how spaces shape people as much as the other way around,’ says Brent.
Designs for a new build got underway, working to the challenges of a long narrow sloping block (56 metres long x only 6 metres wide) with particularly limited access and an existing semi at the front.
The basic brief was for a two-bedroom (initially holiday) home with bathroom, utility room and combined kitchen/living area, allowing visual access to dramatic sunsets, an evening outlook west to the Randwick ridge, and a sense of the original cottage’s calm and tranquility.
It sounds simple, but ‘a lot of historical research was undertaken to explore the history of the unique old cottage, to help us find an appropriate contemporary expression,’ says Brent.
Numerous design meetings with the client on and off site followed and the client was intimately involved in every step.
The basic brief was for a two-bedroom (initially holiday) home with bathroom, utility room and combined kitchen/living area, allowing visual access to dramatic sunsets, an evening outlook west to the Randwick ridge, and a sense of the original cottage’s calm and tranquility.
It sounds simple, but ‘a lot of historical research was undertaken to explore the history of the unique old cottage, to help us find an appropriate contemporary expression,’ says Brent.
Numerous design meetings with the client on and off site followed and the client was intimately involved in every step.
The search for suitable cladding was influenced by the demands of a salty beachside environment, a preference for low maintenance and interest in something that would ‘embrace its ageing’. Copper fit the bill beautifully, and became a meaningful expression of the spirit of the home outside and in.
Copper cladding, KFC Rozelle.
See why copper and brass are big style news
Copper cladding, KFC Rozelle.
See why copper and brass are big style news
The resulting vision was for three sections or connected modules as a response to the sloping site, and to avoid any overlooking issues.
‘A linear plan was an ideal solution and the stepping also offered a chance to utilise the space under the level changes for laundry and storage,’ says Brent.
He points out that ‘the project is first and foremost designed according to passive solar design principles, admitting sun during winter, while the shading cuts it out in summer. The slab provides thermal mass that, together with the insulation, keeps the house very comfortable year round.’
He points out that ‘the project is first and foremost designed according to passive solar design principles, admitting sun during winter, while the shading cuts it out in summer. The slab provides thermal mass that, together with the insulation, keeps the house very comfortable year round.’
Although ‘small’, there’s a real sense of openness, dimensionality and engagement with nature and the elements.
On reflection, Brent and Katharina see the sense of calm in small Copper House as its most delightful aspect. ‘It feels private,’ says Brent, ‘yet enables an experience of the passing of the day and the seasons. We are particularly pleased that a small project contains such diverse spaces and that we were able to pursue custom solutions to add layers of experience to the place.’ Owner Jeremy is inspired by the outcome and looks forward to living in his unique Copper House in the future.
Lounge, dining and coffee table: Takt in collaboration with Craft Design Realisation. Landscaping, Greenfriends.
Lounge, dining and coffee table: Takt in collaboration with Craft Design Realisation. Landscaping, Greenfriends.
‘The roof form came about to allow light in and offer views to the sky and treetops on a narrow site surrounded by fences and walls,’ explains Brent.
‘Each junction between the three sections frames a different view – to the sky, the city, the rear terrace or to the small garden courtyard from the bay window seat, so that the space never feels confined,’ says Brent.
As the most social space of the house, the dynamic living/kitchen/dining area sits in the upper section and gives views across the city. It also opens onto a private rear terrace.
Worktops, Bedonis by Artedomus. Sink, Franke by Winning Appliances.
Worktops, Bedonis by Artedomus. Sink, Franke by Winning Appliances.
The new-build design encouraged rethinking on how the immediate environment and the challenges of the site might be explored to advantage. ‘The block is west sloping and has a 4 metre-high retaining wall to the west,’ Brent says. ‘The previous cottage was pressed hard against the wall, which felt overbearing. The new building pulls back to allow an outdoor room between the house and the wall, and landscaping with lush foliage and water features makes the most of this existing feature.’
‘Those highlights enable an experience of passing time and the seasons as the light tracks across rooms,’ says Brent. While allowing light and ‘the upper outdoors’ in, this feature gives privacy, something that is valued by the owner.
Vintage spun copper pendant, Vampt Vintage Design.
Browse a selection of pendant lights
Vintage spun copper pendant, Vampt Vintage Design.
Browse a selection of pendant lights
The flow of light and air is a striking feature of the property, owing not least to the use, positioning and style of windows: a variety including some deeper timber-framed recesses, louvres at living level and a ‘highlight glazing’ throughout in the higher spaces between the expressed steel structure and the roof.
Hardwood windows and doors, Country Style Windows. Steel frame, Helensburgh Metal Fabrication.
Hardwood windows and doors, Country Style Windows. Steel frame, Helensburgh Metal Fabrication.
The main bedroom is positioned in the lowest area. It features a bay window seat overlooking a small courtyard garden.
Custom designed beds, Takt.
Custom designed beds, Takt.
The second, slightly smaller bedroom sits in the middle of the house and, Brent says, is ‘more internally focused with highlight glazing for light and a small peephole framing the sky from the bed.’ The bathroom is also in this section.
‘Copper was used as an accent inside as well, so as to tie the whole place in a reduced material palette,’ elaborates Brent. ‘We chose copper light fittings, joinery door handles, copper plumbing pipes, and clad the bathroom in flat sheets, unfinished, all to encourage an understanding of one’s place in time. After a few years, the most exposed copper has started to show some of the richer green tones in the shadows.’
Brent says: ‘All the other materials were chosen to complement the copper. The dark concrete platform has been sealed by hand with bees wax and retains a soft lustre. Hardwood windows and doors of Australian Ash and other timber elements add warmth. A panelled system of artist’s canvas stretched over boards provides a counterpoint to the harder materials. Leather on the door handles has softened with age.’
Concrete, SBN Building Constructions. Hand-stretched artist’s canvas on E0 MDF, painted, on internal walls, Levers.
Concrete, SBN Building Constructions. Hand-stretched artist’s canvas on E0 MDF, painted, on internal walls, Levers.
The front of the house is barely visible from the street.
TELL US…
What do you think of this revamped Australian cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this revamped Australian cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here Owner Jeremy currently leases the Copper House to tenants
Location Coogee, close to Sydney
Size House is 60 square metres on a 350-square-metre site; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Photography: Shantanu Starick