Strachan Group Architects are no strangers to designing compact gems with a lot of inbuilt flexibility. Their soulful ‘My Whare’, for instance, explored the possibilities of the tiny-house movement but with an element of pared-back elegance that was refreshing for the typology.
Here they have delivered a similar offering, but with relaxation within the elements squarely at its heart.
A self-contained cabin overlooking a Coromandel surf break provides a snug extension to a family bach; or a rugged, yet entirely beautiful, stand-alone space that can be shifted to different parts of the land.
Flexibility is key to the design of the Beach Hut, which sits on an elevated site among towering pohutukawa trees and has expansive views of the Coromandel coast. Built on a tiny-house trailer, the 17 square metre hut takes the form of a simple box with a mezzanine platform above as a bedroom space, providing overflow for a well-used and loved holiday home.
The ground level features built-in couches that double as beds, with storage space below, as well as a basic kitchenette and a small bathroom. On a recent summer visit, the building was wide open, sliding glazed walls bent around two sides, opening it up as if the natural world surrounding were a luscious extension of its interior.
In winter, however, when the wind blows and the rain rages, the Hut can close down via a series of canopies and shutters, creating a cosy, treehouse-like space that can cocoon and envelop yet still offer views and the sounds of nature outside.
The space can be shut down entirely if it will be left uninhabited for long periods of time. The canopies and screens, as well as the deck, are designed to clip on and off, allowing the cabin to be transported easily if required.
Lined in poplar ply with oak flooring, the interior glows warmly, creating a coherent contrast to the silvered Japanese cedar rain screen used for the exterior, which harmonises with the ruggedly beautiful natural environment. Delineated with Flaxpod aluminium joinery and topped with sturdy steel roofing, Beach Hut is an adaptable space perfect for all-weather beach escapes.
