Thirteen Beach House is a minimal home located in Barwon Heads, Australia, designed by MGAO. The project in question is a private residence situated in the Links Golfcourse development in Thirteenth Beach, a small coastal town located along the Victorian coastline. Being situated in a predominantly residential housing development, the design team responded to the client’s brief by creating an inward-focused courtyard house. The goal was to provide the residents with a sense of seclusion within a rapidly developing housing estate. From the exterior, the house is clad in black-stained timber, which gives it a simple and solid appearance when viewed from the street. However, internally, the form is broken down into distinct sections through the use of a pinwheel of rammed earth walls. These 600mm thick walls define the various zones and functions of the house and encircle the large internal courtyard, which features a pool and both covered and uncovered outdoor living areas.

Photography by Dan Preston