Bundjalung Country
Queensland
Gold Coast and Northern Rivers
Fingal House involved the considerate repurposing of an existing fibro beach house to meet the needs of a growing young family and better respond to its climate and site. The original house was retained for bedrooms, reclad, lifted to avoid flood waters and shifted towards the eastern boundary. A new spine was added to the west, including a garage, home office and living spaces. This new addition sensitively relates to the original house through scale, materials and form. The original house is raised and presented on a warm brick screen wall that neatly contains the brick and landscape entry sequence. These entry stairs provide a natural perch to watch kids on the lawn, a place to engage with neighbours or take in the breezes and views to the local waterhole across the road. This is a modest gesture that strongly sets an agenda of neighbourhood engagement.
Commendation For Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations And Additions)
Fingal House is a beloved beach shack, set respectfully away from the street and has been reorientated to capitalise on its setting and to be resilient against floods, storm surges and rising sea level. A confident arrangement of levels, spaces, utilities, permeability, and materials has created a livable family home and preserved the fishing village neighbourhood character. A new wing has been added, sensibly detached to allow the original to “breathe”, which, in turn, accommodates future expansion if family needs dictate.
Commendation For Residential Architecture - Houses (Alterations And Additions)
Fingal House is a beloved beach shack, set respectfully away from the street and has been reorientated to capitalise on its setting and to be resilient against floods, storm surges and rising sea level. A confident arrangement of levels, spaces, utilities, permeability, and materials has created a livable family home and preserved the fishing village neighbourhood character. A new wing has been added, sensibly detached to allow the original to “breathe”, which, in turn, accommodates future expansion if family needs dictate.