Mudjimba is a beach-side village on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. This project by Chris Klar Architects set on a bushy site in Mudjimba is designed to make the most of this lush and tranquil setting (plus the enviable climate!)...
To take advantage of the sub-tropical climate, Chris designed created a thin, one-room wide floor plan to maximise ventilation. Ceiling fans and louvre windows keep the house cool and breezy. Overhangs of the home have also been carefully considered to protect from the sun in summer, while letting in more sun during winter. The home is well-insulated to keep internal spaces comfortable. The roof is constructed from a sandwich panel which helps to achieve large spans, but also insulates the home from the noise of planes at the nearby airport.
A large outdoor room creates a living space that can be used year-round. This space increases the size of the home without adding significantly to the cost. The corner of the home opens completely onto this deck, and with spotted gum flooring used inside and out, indoor and outdoor spaces merge together seamlessly. A simple laundry is concealed behind sliding doors in a thickened wall between the deck and the carport.
"Privacy and quiet were two of the primary aims of the design, allowing the owners to enjoy the coastal environment only minutes from the beach nearby. The design also borrows landscape from the adjacent allotments as the house to the north is located to the rear of its block, allowing an unobstructed view into the adjacent bush." - Chris Klar
The home is set on an acreage with no sewer or water connection, so the project harvests its own rainwater and deals with drainage on-site. The architect also had to consider bushfire risk, incorporating aluminium windows and doors with metal fly screens to resist bushfire attack.
A home designed for its climate and natural setting will always feel more comfortable and pleasurable to live in. Chris Klar has designed a home that works with its environment, without sacrificing the conveniences of modern life. Rich in timber and well-planned, the home feels like a sanctuary to kick back and enjoy this stunning location.
