Krause x Alba Clovelly Beach House

When imagining traditional beach houses, there are a few details that spring to mind for many – be that generous lashings of natural light, specks of turquoise detailing to evoke seafoam and of course crisp whites to provide contrast and a sense of calm. 

The Alba in Clovelly Beach, NSW is in fact not a traditional beach house.

Instead, like all great art and architecture, the designers of Alba have taken inspiration from the “beach house” framework and added several special, bespoke elements for a truly unique finish. This has resulted in effortlessly capturing the essence of coastal chic and elevating it further through considered, refined details that make this ocean home a unique gem.

Natural materials play an important part in achieving the soft, warm ambience felt within the home. This can be seen via the use of beautiful neutrals in masonry elements and light timber detailing featured throughout the property.

Architects and designers studioplusthree worked directly with the team at Krause Bricks to create a custom-made brick specifically for the Alba build. This custom-made brick helped to seamlessly integrate features of the home, as well as enhance the overall flow by rising up from the balustrade and unifying the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Speaking to the impact of the custom-made bricks, the designers at studioplusthree said “The result is a tactile materiality that flows from interior to exterior, unifying the façade of the home. The pale bricks juxtapose the blackbutt timber elements”.

The need for continuity of the brick both inside and outside the home was an obvious one. Designed to feature several sheltered portico spaces; a covered stoop protected from the elements, the bricks blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, inviting the dweller to explore all aspects of the home.

It was important to both the designers and the family that the space would respond to and meet the needs of the environment. From a structural point of view, the bricks stand resistant to an oceanic gale providing comfort and strength. Over time, years of vaporised salty water in the air will continue to leave its mark on the house - a feature of seaside living this family of avid surfers are accustomed to.

The Krause Brick Ghost palette was the perfect pick for the oceanic setting, offering neutrality while also contrasting brilliantly against the blackbutt timber features and white flecked concrete flooring. The low saturation of the bricks could be mistaken for years spent in the elements, with the sun painting its own artistic fade over time. For a more unconventional material choice for a beach house, it was important that the bricks would find its own way to fit in amongst the landscape. 

The overall design and material choices pay homage to surrounding nature and take pride in sustainability. It would be remiss to build a structure that is so heavily informed by the natural environment, without considering the impact of the build. In addition to being crafted by hand, Krause Bricks are carbon offset for a more conscious choice for this Clovelly Beach House. Find out more about carbon-neutral bricks and see what we’re doing to minimise our environmental impact.

Intrigued by the design of Alba and interested in exploring the possibilities of crafting your own custom brick for a unique project? We'd love to hear from you!

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