Longhut
Long Hut Residence // Qld State Awards Commendation Gold Coast & Northern Rivers Regional Commendation
Longhut is a pure beach house in the tradition of simple, fun, fibro clad pavillions built on shoe string budgets. The simplicity is in the elegant plan and extruded cross sectional form. The fun is in the arrangement of the pavillion forms and their engagement of the exterior landscape and wider environment. The house has been designed for barefoot holiday fun on a bare bones budget. It is evocative of the simple holiday homes of the past and lacks the unnecessary luxury resort kitch embodied in most modern beach homes.
The procession from the beach initiates at an external washdown shower and the transitional deck entry for the comfortable and casual removal of sand and beach paraphernalia prior to entering the internal areas. The exterior covered deck spine controls both the pedestrian circulation and facilitates the air circulation throughout the pavilions. Occupants are constantly moving to the exterior corridor breezeway and therefore constantly conscious of the environmental conditions of each day. Weather conditions and birdlife are always on show when moving between rooms.
The more secluded bedroom pavillion is opposed by the three small bathing pavillions which nest under translucent eyelid awning roof. The bath pavillions provide privacy from the northern high set neighbour and shelter from the afternoon sun. The western laneway is screened for privacy by the large garage / shed which houses all the aquatic and beach equipment as well as the cars.
A strict budget determined simplicity in form and construction. Finishes are basic externally and internally with a single material of fibre cement cladding and a single internal lining of plasterboard for walls and ceilings. Primary framing is a steel portal system with hardwood secondary infill.
The house is organized for the optimum environmental performance specific to the locality; protection from the harsh southerly storms and embracing the northern aspect. Single room thickness throughout the planning connected to the breezeway corridor ensures a constant cooling ventilator to all rooms, which also have ceiling fans for still conditions.
