Bimbadeen House is a modernist, light-filled home located in Fairhaven along Victoria’s coastline and was designed by Lachlan Shephard Architects. Its design complements the surrounding bush by nestling into its sloping site. The simple, low-lying, protective external form contrasts its light-filled, open-planned interior.
Subdued, low-maintenance materials have been utilised so that the building will continue to age gracefully and settle further into its bush context. The brief was to create a modernist, light-filled, compact home that was protected and shielded from street view, but felt completely open internally.
A challenge faced in the build was a restrictive building envelope on the wrong side of the allotment and close to the neighbouring house, as well as considerations of bushfire threat.
Courtyard typology to “frame” bush views but de-emphasise the neighbouring dwelling and protect internal amenity, was the solution to create a private yet internally open home. Whilst bushfire-appropriate materials were utilised to adhere to site requirements. Key materials of Bimbadeen House feature weathering (oxidised) steel, silvertop ash weatherboards and concrete burnished floor.
