Modern Circular Beach House Nestled Among Australia’s Rugged dunes

Situated along the wild coastline of Victorian in Australia, this little beach house stands out not just because of its unusual, cylindrical shape but also because of its compact design. The house is located on St. Andres Beach, a secluded area with no restaurants or shopping centers, just a small corner store and a brewery.

The design of the house is inspired by the bach, a New Zealand term describing a small mid-century shack made of recycled materials
The design of the house is inspired by the bach, a New Zealand term describing a small mid-century shack made of recycled materials
The house has a very small footprint which allows it to fit nicely among the rugged dunes
The house has a very small footprint which allows it to fit nicely among the rugged dunes
The circular floor plan concept is reiterated throughout the house in various different forms
The circular floor plan concept is reiterated throughout the house in various different forms

Out here the focus is on the rugged and beautiful landscape and this remote little retreat takes full advantage of that. The house has a circular floor plan measuring less than 5 meters in radius and featuring a sustainable design with solar panels on the roof and a rainwater collection tank. It was designed by Austin Maynard architects in 2018.

A spiral staircase placed at the center of the house connects the two floors
A spiral staircase placed at the center of the house connects the two floors
The upper floor acts as a large sleeping area with curtains instead of dividing walls
The upper floor acts as a large sleeping area with curtains instead of dividing walls
The ground floor contains the common spaces and has a fluid, continuous feel
The ground floor contains the common spaces and has a fluid, continuous feel
Given the shape of the house, there's no dominant orientation so the views are great no matter how you look at them
Given the shape of the house, there’s no dominant orientation so the views are great no matter how you look at them

This low-maintenance 2-story beach house doesn’t waste any space. Inside there are no corridors or any of the usual circulation areas. It’s all designed as an open and flexible space. The ground floor contains the living room, kitchen, dining area, a bathroom and the laundry room. There’s also a section which acts as an open deck area, connected to the rest of the floor plan via bi-fold doors. Upstairs the whole volume acts as a sort of large bunk room with different sections separated by curtains. Overall, the design of the house is very casual and relaxed even though the floor plan is very carefully controlled.

The central spiral staircase is space-efficient as well as graceful and in tone with the overall geometry of the house
The central spiral staircase is space-efficient as well as graceful and in tone with the overall geometry of the house
The ground floor has an open deck section with bu-fold doors and a seamless connection with the outdoors
The ground floor has an open deck section with bu-fold doors and a seamless connection with the outdoors
The materials involved in the project are meant to weather over time and to make the structure blend in even better
The materials involved in the project are meant to weather over time and to make the structure blend in even better
The design and ambiance out here are informal and relaxed, in tone with the remote location and the wild landscape
The design and ambiance out here are informal and relaxed, in tone with the remote location and the wild landscape