Casuarina House by Vokes and Peters
Designed by Vokes and Peters, Casuarina House brings the coastal outdoors inside the walls of a new family home, connecting the occupants with their environment and local community.
Words: Georgie Ward I Photography: Christopher Frederick Jones
Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Located in a spacious suburban coastal setting with its neighbouring ocean not in sight, architects Vokes and Peters sought to bring the ‘presence’ of the beach to the Casuarina House itself by capturing the essence of its setting.
The open design of each space emphasises movement throughout the house via the outdoors as well as its expansive doors and windows, which allow the ground floor interior to blend seamlessly with the outdoors.
These spaces act as repositories for sensory delight, ‘They let the outside in; the sound of the ocean, the smell of the local flora, the taste of the salty air, the view of passing clouds, the stars through the roof window and the feel of rain falling through the void’, says Vokes and Peters.
The creation of a beautiful family home garden was a focal point for the architects, as the family of three included an international pilot who hadn’t lived in a house with a garden for over 25 years.
‘The garden is a place where the young kids can grow up, a mindful place to help keep one’s feet grounded in the moment, and a place of dreaming’, says Vokes and Peters.
In efforts to embrace its surrounding environment, the garden is strictly native species to support biodiversity and sustainable occupation. The arrangement of the house and its garden encourages an active social neighbourhood.
A brick seat and unfenced front garden provides a place for parents to gather whilst the children ride bikes and scooters in the community cul-de-sac.
Vokes and Peters arranged the living spaces to all open out onto its statement earthy-red verandah that stretches across the exterior of the home.
The house combines timber, corrugated iron and painted brick with the addition of fixed timber screens for privacy and security, so the family can leave their doors open at night time, allowing the sound of the ocean to be heard as they fall asleep.
Casuarina House engages with its site and paves its own unique path as a compact and thriving home.
The architects ensured there was ample space for a backyard by elevating the home to two-storeys. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Fixed timber screens were added for privacy and security, so the family can leave windows open while listening to the ocean as they sleep. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Vokes and Peters selected brick as the principal material. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
The pale bricks were selected based on their contrast to the painted timber screen. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Key to the success of the house is how it engages with its constituent elements and encourages a dialogue. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
“The garden is a place where the young kids can grow up. A mindful place to keep one’s feet grounded in the moment. And a place of dreaming”
Design details in the bathroom space echo the exterior design of the home. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Design details in the bathroom space. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones
Vokes and Peters arranged the living spaces opening out onto the verandah – a nod to the classic Queenslander. Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones