Project Details:
Bricks: Custom Krause Bricks
Design: Wardle
Build: Spence Construction
Photos: Trevor Mein
Perched atop a hill in Anglesea, Victoria, the stunning Burnt Earth Beach House makes innovative use of baked earth to provide a sense of warmth, texture and rich tonality that is uniquely Australian.
Having previously collaborated on groundbreaking projects such as Phoenix Central Park and the Monash University Learning & Teaching Building, architect John Wardle worked closely with Klynton Krause to develop a custom application of Terracotta brickwork specifically for this project.
“These bricks come out of a massive extruding machine and are torn by hand, so every piece is unique. Any excess is then put back into the process – it’s close to a zero-waste product at the manufacturing stage. A glaze was then applied to the raw material before a single firing, and the various glazes reacted in different ways – some glazes absorbed into the clay while others responded in a liquified manner.”
Blending hand-torn Australian brickwork with terracotta floor and wall tiles from what is described as ‘possibly the oldest company of its kind in Tuscany’ - means each space of the home is reminiscent of the Italian countryside, while also basking in the glow of the Australian sun beaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, not forgetting the nature of its surrounds.
How light interacted with the project was considered throughout. The use of strategically-placed windows and nooks to flood the space with light, highlights the architect’s own collectibles and antiques from across the globe, while creating the antithesis of a gallery-like home.
Intelligently designed to ensure warmth, comfort and longevity for all seasons, this family home is an architectural wonder, bringing a whole new meaning to the Australian beach house.
