Sunshine Beach
Sunshine Coast Queensland
The Sunshine Beach House, which was previously known as the Prell House was designed by renowned architect Gabriel Poole in 1997. The design reflected an abstraction of Mediterranean and Mexican influences to present a series of living and sleeping spaces around a central courtyard on a steeply sloping site. The careful arrangement of the spaces protected from the prevailing sea breezes, opened up to the Northern aspect while maintaining privacy.
In many ways the house is an idiosyncratic design and the new owners sought changes that would enable more living space and all weather connections between the sleeping quarters, without sacrificing the unique character of the place. The key to the design remains the central Outdoor Room, now roofed with a translucent battened roof, linking the living spaces during all but the most inclement weather. The timber seating, landscaping and green wall maintain the outdoor feel and the space is softened by soft furnishings and cushions.
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Key Elements
Material Palette:
Raw concrete, glass, and zinc form a robust structural language
Warmth and tactility introduced through timber and woven cane screens
Visual inspiration drawn from the natural palette of caked sand, pandanus, and ocean
Site Strategy:
Rejects boundary-hugging design in favour of a layered, inward-facing layout
Curated ocean views offered through framed vignettes rather than panoramic exposure
Designed as one of the first homes on a newly subdivided lot with future context in mind
Privacy & View Planning:
Adjacent properties modelled to predict and respond to future sightlines
Orientation and openings carefully tuned for privacy without sacrificing outlook
Form & Function:
‘U’-shaped courtyard plan buffers against western sun and street noise
Stepped landscaping leads the eye and movement towards the beach
Climate Responsiveness:
Operable walls, windows, and screens allow dynamic control of sun, breeze, and privacy
Highly adaptable envelope supports seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living
Atmosphere & Luxury:
A sense of relaxed refinement achieved through exceptional material quality and detailing
Every element designed with sensitivity to place, climate, and coastal lifestyle
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2007 RAIA Sunshine Coast Regional Building of the Year Award
2007 RAIA Sunshine Coast Regional Commendation
2007 RAIA QLD State Award (Residential Category)
Client
Project Services
Completed
20102
Key Personnel
Beth Wilson, Ilka Salisbury
Traditional Custodians of the Land
Gubbi Gubbi Nation
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