Project 03 · Residential · Studio project
Saltwater Residence
A Coastal Sanctuary Designed to Last
For Mermaid Beach · 2026
Salt air is corrosive. The design challenge is choosing materials that endure.
Situated on the eastern edge of Mermaid Beach, facing the full force of the Pacific, this residence confronts the reality of its environment. Salt, UV, and relentless onshore wind - the elements that make beachfront living desirable also test the longevity of a building. The Saltwater Residence is designed to meet these conditions rather than fight them.
01 —A study in contrast: the permanence of off-form concrete anchors the structure, while vertical timber battening softens the edge and provides adjustable privacy from the street.Resilient by Design
Off-form concrete anchors the home. Raw and earthy, it suits the coast it sits on and gives the house its weight and texture.
The material provides thermal mass to help moderate internal temperatures through humid Gold Coast summers.
To balance the concrete, timber battening introduces warmth and light control. The material palette is responsive: robust where the home faces the ocean, and warm where it faces the interior.
02 —One continuous ground plane. The kitchen and dining spaces are positioned to capture the ocean light, with glass walls that stack away completely to dissolve the boundary between the interior and the dunes.One Continuous Ground Plane
The ground floor is conceived as a single, fluid space. From the kitchen through to the living and dining areas, the room extends to the pool terrace and the dunes beyond. The glass walls are designed to stack away completely - dissolving the boundary between the living room and the coastline.
Whether cooking, hosting, or relaxing, the layout maintains a clear visual connection to the water.
Private Retreat Above
Upstairs is a sanctuary. The master suite features operable timber screens designed to adapt to the rhythm of the day. These can be opened to welcome the sunrise or closed to provide shade and privacy from the beach track below.
Coastal breezes draw naturally through the central circulation spine, supporting passive cooling and reducing reliance on mechanical air conditioning. This is architecture designed to adapt to coastal living - passive, quiet, and enduring.
03 —A private retreat above. The master suite utilises operable timber screens and deep overhangs to control light and airflow, allowing the ocean breeze to cool the room naturally.A robust sanctuary on the Pacific edge — where horizontal planes and vertical blades frame absolute openness to the horizon, while timber screening provides shelter and privacy. Materials chosen for how they age, not just how they look.
A site of your own?
Every project here began with the same questions: where does the sun come from, where does the water go, and what is worth keeping. If your site raises them too, that's the conversation to have.
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