Burnt Earth Beach House

Designed by renowned architect John Wardle for his own family, Burnt Earth Beach House was inspired by the landscape of his childhood. Positioned on a coastal cliff, the design focuses on capturing sunlight and framing specific views of the coast. In order to help manage the flow of sunlight into the bode, Shade Factor’s shade solutions were integrated.

GALLERY  

“The design of this house does two things. It’s a device for chasing the sunlight and establishing the sociability of the house around the movement of the sun through different times of the day,” Wardle explains.

With the original build partially burnt in the Ash Wednesday fires, the new design connects the home to its surroundings, with the two-storey elements positioned close to the cliff’s edge, mirroring the rugged landscape. The choice of terracotta bricks on the exterior reflects the natural colours of the cliffs, with each piece bearing its own distinct texture and glaze. “The colour and tonality of the house is part of that equation, as is the massing of the house where I pushed all the two-storey parts up into this coastal edge,” Wardle notes.

Inside, the use of materials continues this theme, creating a connection between interior and exterior. The house’s layout features large, open spaces with a single roof that spans from the dining area to a higher-level living room, offering a perfect perch for enjoying the view.

Thermal performance was a key consideration, with special attention to insulation, window placement, and shading. “Much work was done on the thermal performance of the house,” Wardle says, emphasising the operability of external blinds and shutters to manage sunlight and heat throughout the day.

Due to the extensive glazing in Burnt Earth Beach House, careful planning was required to manage sunlight while preserving views. “With so much glazing, so specifically aligned with both the coastal views, this enables light to enter into the house from so many different angles,” says Wardle.

To address this, he collaborated with Shade Factor to implement advanced shade solutions throughout the home. Each area of the house required a different approach based on the room’s function, the time of day, and the intensity of the sun. The exterior blind systems were customised to ensure optimal light control without obstructing views of the landscape. “It’s a harsh condition that has to be managed for the house,” Wardle says, referring to the coastal environment and solar exposure.

“The sophisticated blind systems that vary around the house all had to be managed with the specific nature of some very technical requirements that were delivered by Shade Factor.” This collaboration was instrumental in ensuring that the Burnt Earth Beach House not only achieves aesthetic excellence, but also maximises comfort and environmental performance.

Within the living area, two fabric awning systems—drop arm awnings and vertical awnings—were installed to protect Wardle’s art and furnishings from direct sunlight. These tailored shading solutions ensure that Burnt Earth Beach House remains comfortable and functional throughout the year without impeding the view, while allowing its design to embrace the surrounding environment.

Click the links below to learn more about Shade Factor shade solutions

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