Coastal design inspired by beach shacks.
Son Studio has completed the Bangalow Road House in Byron Bay, Australia. Nestled on a compact 360-square-metre corner plot, the house takes inspiration from traditional wooden beach shacks. With its timber louvres, modern detailing, and fluid spatial design, the project reinterprets coastal architecture while addressing the challenges of privacy, space, and light.
A Compact, Modern Coastal Design
The Bangalow Road House, named after its location on the road linking Bangalow to Byron Bay, reflects the architectural vernacular of coastal living. Timber, chosen as the primary material, mimics the weathered, sun-bleached boards of traditional beach homes.
The home’s design consists of three volumes: two at ground level, containing the garage and living spaces, and a raised bedroom block perched on diagonal wooden supports. Privacy is achieved with a combination of perimeter trees and timber screens, while the upper-level bedroom volume is shielded by projecting louvres, creating intimate yet airy interiors.
Balancing Light and Privacy
Son Studio focused on the interplay of light, space, and privacy. “The design emphasises the progression of time through the ever-shifting light that filters throughout the home,” said director Scott Jackson. The timber louvres and screens create a “poetic encounter” with the surrounding environment, blending modern living with the charm of traditional beach houses.
Inside, exposed wooden beam ceilings and a central fireplace in the living spaces evoke the casual warmth of coastal cabins. In contrast, the bedrooms adopt a minimalist aesthetic with plastered walls. Full-height windows and doors on the ground floor open to a concrete patio and swimming pool, shaded by the overhanging bedroom volume above.
Merging Form and Function
Designed to fit its narrow plot, Bangalow Road House challenges conventional notions of residential architecture. The timber screens and volumes allow for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, optimising the northern aspect for sunlight while maintaining privacy.
Bangalow Road House by Son Studio is a thoughtful reinterpretation of traditional beach architecture. Combining modern detailing with natural materials, the home delivers a unique coastal living experience that harmonises with its environment and respects its compact footprint.