You gotta love a modest mid-century project home. I know I do, especially after visiting one of the most famous of project homes - Beachcomber House - in the idyllic locale of Avalon in Sydney.
The Beachcomber houses were designed in the 1960s by Croatian born architect Nino Sydney when he was the chief architect for Lend Lease. He really ought to be a very well known figure in Australia given how popular his homes were.
The homes were cutting edge for the times - the use of floor-to-ceiling glass and the simple suspended box-like structure meant the average person could buy a stylish architect-designed home for an affordable price. Bauhaus on a budget!
About 200 Beachcombers were built during the 60s and 70s in and around Sydney and you are still able to pick out the distinctive Beachcomber shape as you travel around certain areas.
Sadly, not all the remaining Beachcombers are intact with many owners not realising what they have and 'renovating' these homes beyond recognition...some have been given Roman columns...while others have been given gables...Ha!
Luckily, there are some Beachcomber owners who know exactly what they have in their possession and are respectfully restoring their homes, embracing the original design with gusto!
It seems like there is a secret Beachcomber society developing amongst the more savvy owners. You can read more about these fabulous mid-century homes from the blog called Beachcomber . Such a fabulous resource with historical photographs of these homes!
Many thanks to Helen and David for their hospitality last weekend!
The Beachcomber houses were designed in the 1960s by Croatian born architect Nino Sydney when he was the chief architect for Lend Lease. He really ought to be a very well known figure in Australia given how popular his homes were.
The homes were cutting edge for the times - the use of floor-to-ceiling glass and the simple suspended box-like structure meant the average person could buy a stylish architect-designed home for an affordable price. Bauhaus on a budget!
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| Beachcomber Mark 2 in Avalon |
About 200 Beachcombers were built during the 60s and 70s in and around Sydney and you are still able to pick out the distinctive Beachcomber shape as you travel around certain areas.
Sadly, not all the remaining Beachcombers are intact with many owners not realising what they have and 'renovating' these homes beyond recognition...some have been given Roman columns...while others have been given gables...Ha!
Luckily, there are some Beachcomber owners who know exactly what they have in their possession and are respectfully restoring their homes, embracing the original design with gusto!
It seems like there is a secret Beachcomber society developing amongst the more savvy owners. You can read more about these fabulous mid-century homes from the blog called Beachcomber . Such a fabulous resource with historical photographs of these homes!
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| This Beachcomber's garden was recently landscaped |
There are quite a few homes similar to this overall structure in North Queensland, but sadly many do not see the underlying potential, or if they do see it, it can be misplaced and what occurs is an unsympathetic modernization of what is essentially period architecture for the time. Have loved the homes you have been showing us from your visit down south. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Col
Like them! How wonderful to see semi mass production housing with some style and panache, more than you can say for today.
ReplyDeleteYou look like you had a wonderful trip, am very much enjoying all these house tours vicariously through your bloggy travels! mel x
ReplyDeleteI like the shape of this place! I think you could pop a little beachcomber box on the back of the Sow's Ear. Space problems solved!
ReplyDelete