Gawie wanted a simple, easily maintained weekend retreat able to accommodate three couples with their children, as well as a dingy and surfboard lock-up storage, readily accessible to the beach.

 

The house is sunken below road level, exposing only the vaulted roof and prominent chimney. Thus secluded from the street, the front door is reached by a descending ramp between two high walls.

 

The six vaulted modules successively contain boat storage, with living and kitchen/dining area opening onto a sunken courtyard that lets in the morning sun.  Each of the three bedrooms has a sleeping loft and shower and toilet cubicle. A single brick type was used for the paving, floors, walls and vaulted roof which provides for high thermal mass.