Charmingly Rustic Oceanfront Home Includes Pleasant Surprise

Coogee House draws on the traditions of Cape Dutch fishing village houses, with the soft earthy forms typical of the west coast of Southern Africa.

With an earth-bound and homespun style, modest living spaces partake of the vast ocean view of the Pacific.

The staggering views are framed under the rough-hewn timbers of a rustic traditional trellis in the Dutch colonial traditions.

A modest lap pool at the side of the house augments the vast ocean.

The house faces out towards the vast lonely Pacific, a long way from South Africa.

Meeting the client’s brief meant the house had to stand up to the harsh coastal climate of Australia, while having a rustic, soft, organic feel.

The internal entry court shows the rough primitive detailing up close.

Throughout the house, log trellises as well as walls of rough render whitewash, are used both inside and out.

Gabion walls step up the hill connecting the house of little bungalows.

The large central entry space seamlessly dissolves into the exterior and interior spaces.

Light pours down the large internal entry court.

The fresh, artlessly simple and private family rooms are below.

Some of the secluded family rooms are stepped down from the open space.

An unaffected country kitchen in the Dutch traditions from old Holland is warm and efficient.

An example of the artless simplicity is all the way to detail: toilet paper is stored with a minimum of fuss.

But this charmingly rustic house reminiscing on the Dutch traditions on a far African coast – immensely appealing as it is – is not just some sweet simpleton.

While ‘drawing from the best of tribal rough hewn and bushland living environments’ Architect Dennis Rabinowitz has also created a super sustainable home, that includes:

Harvested rainwater
Photovoltaic solar collectors
Gas fired hot water system
Orientation to the North and East (North in the Southern hemisphere is like a South-facing home in the Northern Hemisphere.
Adjustable external shading devices
Low-E glazing in timber frames
Insulated external cavity walls
Abundant thermal mass
Adjustable louvre cross ventilation