Gurrugal House

Merimbula, South Coast, New South Wales

Project

Gurrugal House - House for an Art Collector

Job Type

The existing project site is vacant. The proposed new dwelling, called The Gurrugal House, is being developed for a private client that will reside in Dolphin Cove, located the south end of the North Tura Beach.

Year

2021

Location

Merimbula, New South Wales South Coast

Client Brief

Create a pure, minimalist residential design with muted warm white tones
Focus on showcasing the clients extensive minimalist-abstract art collection, with the home acting as the canvas
Access to natural light and ocean front views
Create a design solution to allow natural light into the home due to it's built-under design.

Software Used

SketchUp Pro
Enscape
LayOut
Adobe Photoshop

The architecture of this home explores white minimalism. The white façade engages light at all times of the day, reflecting the sunlight beautifully.

This ocean front, private home is surrounded by beautiful scenes of relaxed and serene nature, taking in the expansive views of the pristine and sparkling coast line.

This home is a minimalist space with a focus on exhibiting the clients minimalist-abstract art collection, whilst maintaining harmony with the homes pure and unadorned design, tones, and textures, acting as a gallery itself for the clients careful selection of art works to be displayed throughout.

It features a built-under design that utilises light courts to bring a soft, subtle light deep into the interior spaces. Column-like windows are used to create direct and dramatic forms of light, while the windows themselves perfectly encapsulate the glistening oceans of the coastal surroundings, as though they are photographic moments in time themselves.

Gurrugal House is a training in minimalism in interior design. As a designer, learning that not all spaces in the home need to be "filled" by something was key in creating truly minimalist spaces, by letting them exist as they are in their simplest form.

SITE LOCATION

Dolphin Cove and Tura Beach, Merimbula

South Coast, New South Wales

A discrete location, lending itself to a lot of privacy, allowing you to bask in the beautiful waters and views and enjoy its nature surrounded by quiet, relaxed scenery.

Pure and Minimal

MOOD
BOARD

Fig 5. Shift in the Winds

Note: Flickr. (2011).

Fig 6. Colour of the Month - White

Note: Suna & Toast. (2017)

Fig 7. Silence

Note: Tumblr. (n.d.).

Fig 8. Zarid House

Note: Design Boom. (n.d.).

Fig 9. Guacamole on the Beach

Note: The Londoner. (2016)

ARCHITECTURAL
CONCEPT

White Minimalism

Fig 10. Frederico Valsassina

Note: Tumblr. (n.d.).

Fig 11. Knick Knacks

Note: Tumblr. (2012)

Fig 12. Mirasal Residential

Note: Arch Daily (2018)

Fig 13. White Cave House

Note: Arch Daily (2013)

INTERIOR
INSPIRATION

White Minimalism

Fig 14. White

Note: Maria Osminina. (n.d.).

Fig 15. DRD Apartment

Note: Ode to Things. (n.d.).

Fig 16. Lokeren Apartment

Note: Est Living. (2020)

Fig 17. House In Fontinha

Note: Divisare. (2020)

Fig 18. Detached House

Note: Nyfelt and Strand. (2016)

Fig 19. Antwerp Office Conversion

Note: Dezeen. (2016)

MATERIALITY

White Plaster

Light Oak Timber

Bare Concrete

Light Beechwood Timber

Stainless Steel

Fig 20. Clean Plaster

Note: SketchUp Textures Club. (2022)

Fig 21. Light Wood Fine

Note: SketchUp Textures Club. (2022)

Fig 22. Concrete Bare

Note: SketchUp Textures Club (n.d.).

Fig 23. Metal Texture

Note: Unity Asset Store. (n.d.).

Fig 24 Light Wood Fine

Note: SketchUp Textures Club (n.d.).

GURRUGAL PHYSICAL MODEL

By Robert Tuckwell
1:100

CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES

Architectural Sketch Development -

In the early stages, my was focused began with a juxtaposition of bold, thick wall architecture with glass walls that are entirely open to the view of the Merimbula coastline. One of the greatest features of this design is the impressive canopy that encases the exterior, creating this projects first instance of 'third space'.

The main parts of the home – the public and private realms feature a built under design. Due to this, courts will be utilised as an avenue for light to get into the far side of the living spaces.

Interior Sketch Development -

As a juxtaposition to the thick wall architecture, the coast line facing side of the home is encompassed by glass, allowing an expansive view out to the sea. A striking staircase leads you down into the main dwelling spaces. The living, dining, and kitchen spaces are spacious with an ease of flow between the open areas. In the kitchen, dominant floor to wall windows allow sunlight to enter the space in a dramatic and distinctive way.

In the private dwelling, the master bedroom, ensuite, and walk in robe will find themselves centred around a large light court. These courts are the second instance of 'third space'. Peaking through a battened wall acting as a bedhead, are elongated, thin strips of sunlight, and a planted tree in the centre of the courtyard space.

At the heart of this design will be a connection to nature, and the coastal surroundings of the South Coast, where the manipulation of light creates a sense of calming clarity.