Yorke Peninsula House sits comfortably atop the sand dunes, elevated and looking out over the ocean. It is a home that pays homage to a family legacy and the original shack structure that has graced the site for generations. The intention was to retain the scale and core character of the former shack while embracing a more modern, open approach to living – overlaying an ease of flow and movement between the indoor and outdoor zones. It was important that the resulting form and approach would retain a modesty and connection to the adjacent shacks and the established vernacular already in place.

Crafted from warm yet robust elements such as rammed earth, polished concrete, and timber, the home feels appropriately responsive to its coastal environment. Simple white cladding then connects with many of the nearby structures – with high-level glazing and thoughtfully positioned windows – invites abundant natural light inward, throughout the home. Both in managing solar gain and natural light, openings needed to be strategically placed, while the role of the generous verandah as a transition space was key. There also needed to be choice in the outdoor living experiences on offer, while also being a place of protected respite against prevailing weather.

Ensuring the home felt like its own sanctuary and a place of ‘reset’ drove the interventions on site. The owners’ deep involvement in the process ensured the new house retained their emotional and nostalgic bond, while also being a place that could facilitate gatherings with family and friends in the years to come – celebrating past and present.