Beach shack couture

This fibro beach shack in the seaside town of Wamberal on the NSW central coast has been transformed from dilapidated to debonair under the skilful guidance of Matt Elkan Architecture. Briefed with extending the indoor and outdoor spaces on a modest budget, a low-cost 7m x 7m room was added. The new room features a butterfly cantilevered roof, successfully blurring the division between inside and out. The ubiquitous central coast fibro shack is referenced by the use of simple materials and detailing.

The home also has many green points, with the design incorporating cross-ventilation, northern orientation, water tanks and native low-water use gardens and much of the construction using Australian recycled hardwoods.

The interiors are simple, beautiful and timeless, featuring blond timbers and a cool palette of greys and greens to complement the views and architecture.

[photography by Simon Whitbread]