Moongalba

2022
Traditional lands of the Quandamooka people

Moongalba (meaning sitting place) is a beach house that involved the restoration of the vernacular ‘fibro shack’, with the integration of a contemporary island home.

The design merges a sequence of smaller private zones with a number of shared gathering spaces, both internal and external. The design prioritises the relationship to the surrounding landscape while carefully considering year-round occupation in a constantly changing local climate.

The juxtaposition between new and old draws inspiration from the quintessential ‘Straddie shack’ through the materials and architectural composition. The house presents two distinctly different characters addressing the needs of privacy through an introverted street façade and the more extroverted nature of public gathering to the rear. The materials selected have been chosen to age and weather sympathetically with the environment, which we hope in time will only further reinforce its connection to the place.

Collaborators

Shaun Lockyer, Matt Napper, Kevin Li for SLa
Brad Andersen Builder
Westera Partners
Brock Beazley Photography