Hide and Seek House by Bower Architecture

Location: Swan Island, Victoria, Australia

Year: 2016

Awards 2017

AIA Victorian Architecture Awards – Shortlisted – Houses (New)
Australian Interior Design Awards – Shortlisted – Residential Design
Houses Awards – Shortlisted – New House Over 200m2
Houses Awards – Shortlisted – Sustainability

Architects: Bower Architecture

Builder: Jardine Homes
Landscape Designer: Sensability Garden Design
Photography © Shannon McGrath

In a quiet street, this sensitive but tough new beach house creates an intriguing sanctuary, integrated with context and landscape. Driven by the local vernacular of gently gabled houses, a sensitive building form is nestled between its neighbours. Two entry experiences – the most apparent an informal outdoor shower which celebrates the ritual of the beach return while a more discreet side entry leads into a central courtyard at the heart of the house.

Defined living spaces avoid vast open planning and bridge between separate distinct bedroom areas. These living spaces are unveiled and re-experienced through glimpses and framed views from differing perspectives. Outlook within and beyond shifts through these spaces, which change in character over day and season. Investment in the structure and shell of the house, considered bones and materials results in a calm and surprising journey integrated with users, site and its surrounds.

Bower Architecture

bower-architecture-hide-seek-beach-house-contemporary — © Shannon McGrath

bower-architecture-hide-seek-bookcase-contemporary-black — © Shannon McGrath

bower-architecture-hide-seek-timber-courtyard-coastal — © Shannon McGrath

bower-architecture-hide-seek-concrete-timber-modern — © Shannon McGrath

bower-architecture-bathroom-coastal-skylight — © Shannon McGrath

All images courtesy of Bower Architecture

Bower Architecture & Interiors

“In every project we work
to reveal intelligent and memorable spaces that inspire, challenge, engage and excite.”

Bower Architecture is a Melbourne architecture and interior design practice formed in 2005 by Architect Directors Chema Bould, Anna Dutton and Jade Vidal.