Spring Beach – an escape like no other

Both sisters, one living in Sydney, the other in Hobart, immediately fell in love with the site. The only thing that was standing on the elevated plot was an old cabin, well past its use-by date (repurposed by a neighbour who is a builder). Associate director of Scale, Georgie Forbes-Smith, along with one of the sisters, knew Spring Beach well, having also grown up in Tasmania. “The original cabin was uninsulated among its other problems, so there was no way to salvage it,” says Georgie, whose brief from the sisters was to create ‘something considerably more comfortable’, yet, at the same time, ‘humble, a place to connect with the environment.’

Given the terrain, with heavy sandy clay soil that often creates pools of water during the wetter months, Scale Architecture was keen to design a lightweight structure, one that was slightly elevated above the ground to allow for water to pass below – creating a sense of ‘floating’ via the home’s steel structure. Clad in rough sawn blue gum timber battens, there’s a rawness to the 100-square-metre home.

In contrast to its exterior, the home’s interior is enveloping, with a soft green and blue palette that evokes the trunks of the surrounding trees. “It’s a place for both families to come together,” says Georgie, who in spite of the shack’s size, provided ample accommodation. As well as two equal sized bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, there’s a generous built-in chaise/daybed in the main open plan living area. And while not obvious, there’s a further loft-style bedroom that’s tucked below the home’s steel pitched roof. And for those short of a bed, there’s also chaises built below the large picture windows in both of the ground floor bedrooms.

Given the weather, in particular the cold winds experienced at Spring Beach, Scale Architecture was mindful of creating a few options. There’s the large timber deck leading from the living area, orientated to the north-east, that is idyllic on calmer days. However, in the afternoon, when the south west winds arrive, the front courtyard is often sought out.

It was this dichotomy in weather that led to including large sliding doors on either side of the living areas, allowing for water views even from the front of the house. There was also a conscious choice to place the front entrance askew of the main living areas, accessed via a shallow drawbridge made from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) – also removing the wet clay soil in the process. “Here, the mud room becomes more important,” says Georgie, pointing out the built-in timber bench at the entrance, with hooks for hanging wet coats.

The Spring Beach house was also designed to create a soft ambience. So, apart from the glow of the lantern suspended above the dining table, a considerable amount of light is directed via the perforated steel mesh that creates a ‘veil’ to the staircase leading to the loft. “At night, it feels more akin to a lantern,” says Georgie. There were also a number of other moves made by Scale Architecture that veer from most houses. The two bedrooms at ground level, for example, feature a steel rack against the ceiling for placing clothes rather than built-in wardrobes. And to allow for a breeze, each of the fixed picture windows in each bedroom are complemented by timber-framed shutters.

For the sisters, the house has been a drawcard for the family, some coming down on their own and, at other times, with the extended family and friends. And while those familiar with Spring Beach are generally locals or those living in Hobart, the word about this idyllic spot, as much as Scale Architecture’s contribution, is certainly reaching a broader audience.

To find out more about Scale Architecture on their website or Instagram. Photography by Tim Clark. Words by Stephen Crafti.