Wadawurrung Country
An exercise in cradle-to-cradle recycling, the Zen House aims to create a contemporary family home that is imbued with the spirit of the existing site.
The pre-existing 1970’s beach house on the Surf Coast was carefully dismantled to allow reassembly within the context of the new building. The existing garden was retained and increased in size by reducing the new building’s footprint. In turn, this allowed for a productive garden to thrive on the northern façade, helping to control sun and wind and making the house feel more comfortable and connected to the ground.
The radially sawn timber fins on the east façade angle variably, animating the façade in a wave-like manner as the viewer approaches the building. This façade also serves to protect the southern end of the upper floor decks from cold south-easterly breezes while opening out to the sun and views at the northern end.
These timber fins are visible both inside and out, which ties the building together reinforcing the feelings of shelter and connection to the natural world.
Builder: R & B Kahle
Photographer: Emma Cross