Hart House

Situated along the Great Mackerel Beach, north of Sydney, Hart House sits modestly and lightly along the coastal nature strip it inhabits.

Accessible by boat only, the premise and underlining inspiration for each design and logistical decision throughout the building process, was hinged on an acute undertaking of a responsibility to the nature it burrows itself amongst. A humble abode yet incredibly intelligently engineered to optimise its location, maximise its inhabitants’ experience and have as little as possible impact on its surrounds.

Luxury house on a hillside with stairs, overlooking water, surrounded by lush green trees, under clear blue sky.

Moneghittie Built

Casey Brown Architecture

Rhys Holland

Great Mackerel Beach, NSW

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View through a doorway of a bright living space with a large window showcasing a scenic ocean view with boats and green islands, a black armchair, a wooden chair, and a kitchen island with a vase of white flowers.
Modern kitchen with large windows overlooking a lake, island with sink, open shelves with plants and decor, and a sitting area with chairs and a small table.

Each of the internal spaces is grounded on the principles of efficiency, with an approach that parallels a sense of the ‘no-fuss’ nature of a costal home. The chanelling of the views to the waterfront further reinforces the want to celebrate its location, disconnection and remoteness.

Interior view of a modern kitchen with a large glass window overlooking a beach, ocean, and boats, featuring wooden floors, light-colored cabinets, and minimal decor.
View of a seaside landscape with a large tree in the foreground, a beach, and sailboats on the water under a partly cloudy sky, with a metal building on the right side.

Echoing the quintessential one-room Australian beach house typology, Hart House sees a near self-sustaining box-type architecture open to the elements, optimising its geographical location to the waterfront.

Modern bathroom with gray textured walls, a view of the ocean through a window with wooden bonds, a rainfall showerhead, a concrete sink with a wall-mounted faucet, and a large mirror reflecting part of the room and another window.
A modern house built on a hillside near a beach, surrounded by lush green trees and rocks, with steps leading down to the sandy shore.

The exoskeleton was selected to protect the home from the harsh salted environment, the cold southerly winds and the bushfire-prone landscape.

Two cushioned lounge chairs and a small wooden table on a wooden deck overlooking a sandy beach, clear blue water, and distant green islands under a bright blue sky.