Coastal calm

Prefabrication and a resolutely simple design were key to the realisation of this elegant, flexible-use backyard studio with beautiful ocean views.

An old garage and workshop at the rear of interior designer Cushla McFadden’s home in coastal Coledale, near Wollongong, had one major thing going for it: location. Sited at the high end of the sloping block just back from the beach, it looked out over the sea towards the horizon, and backed onto the spectacular cliffs of the Illawarra Escarpment.

The family of four moved down from suburban Sydney for the outdoorsy beach lifestyle, and bought a fixer-upper cottage with a view to renovating. Their plan included doing something with the garage – a metal-framed structure on a concrete slab with car access via a rear laneway. “We saw a lot of potential in utilising that space for a studio or secondary dwelling,” says Cushla.

As director of her own business, Cushla was able to oversee the studio’s design and build. Her brief (to herself) included efficient use of space, sustainability, and a minimalist, modern aesthetic with an enjoyable vibe.

Using the existing slab and garage footprint, Cushla designed an east-facing living space with a kitchenette and bathroom on the ground floor, and a mezzanine bedroom upstairs. The downstairs section features polished concrete floors, large windows, and a sliding door opening to a deck facing the beach. The bedroom fits a queen bed, a single bed sized built-in daybed and smart storage solutions.

Features include a high ceiling over the lounge area for a more spacious feel, and curved walls that soften the corners that Cushla says can otherwise seem harsh in a small space. Carefully curated interiors and neutral tones give an airy, calming feel to the light-filled space. Insulated timber bifold doors on the west open wide to allow the ground floor to house a (very small) car if it’s ever needed.

Passive solar design means the studio doesn’t need any active heating or cooling, even during the area’s hot summers. The concrete slab provides thermal mass, and large openings on the east and west harvest the morning and evening sun and enable cross ventilation. Steel awnings shade the north-facing entry door and window, and double glazing features throughout. “The space stays pretty cosy and mild year-round,” says Cushla.

With the help of friends and contacts, she found a prefabricated building system made by local construction company Greensmith & Co that suited the project’s simple square form and easy access. This comprised structural insulated panels (SIPs) made from locally sourced timber with inbuilt insulation, waterproofing and airtight membranes. This approach enabled the walls, roof and mezzanine floor to be manufactured in a nearby factory, and provided affordability, energy efficiency and reduced construction waste. It also enabled last-minute adjustments during assembly, such as minor changes to the ceiling heights by tweaking the position of the mezzanine floor panels – a big job in a traditional build.

The prefabricated structure was delivered and built in a single day, followed by onsite works comprising installation of the windows and doors, cladding, joinery and interiors. All up, the project was completed within four months.

Other sustainability features include reclaimed timber for the decking and structural posts, benchtops made from recycled glass in the kitchen and bathroom, beautiful handmade Australian tiles, and all-electric appliances.

Cushla loves the flexibility of this additional space. In just a handful of years it’s already been used for several purposes, including family accommodation while they were renovating the main cottage, housing for her mum, and as a rental for both long-term tenants and short-stay visitors.

But her favourite part is the large internal window enclosing the mezzanine level. “From the bed, you can look out over our house right through to the ocean, which is amazing,” she says.