For this week’s home tour, we take you inside Nannygai. Designed as a bare-foot beach abode with an endless connection to nature, it’s the epitome of island living.
Located on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) off the coast of Queensland, it’s a home we couldn’t wait to explore.
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With a location this perfect, there’s no question that the view is the hero.
Nannygai is a special family retreat. Designed by Paul Butterworth Architect, it’s a physical and ideological haven for gathering. Bringing together family and friends, celebrating food and enjoying the beach lifestyle.
Nannygai aims to create lasting memories surrounded by that spectacular coastal landscape. So the house itself is simply an elevated platform, centred around the natural beauty of its island setting.
The original site was re-formed to a series of landscape terraces. The home’s design and purpose was simply to allow the occupants to immerse themselves in nature, living amongst the tree tops.
The home is comfortable accommodating both an intimate couple’s getaway, or entertaining a large group at family get-togethers.
Nannygai’s design centres around family holiday rituals creating a low-maintenance, refined home.
The home owners wanted their space to be memorable and unique. Their brief was for coastal living that was flexible, functional and minimal.
The house is comparatively compact, considering its occupant capacity. Actually, it’s only slightly larger than the asbestos shack it replaced. The external landscapes become habitable spaces requiring less ‘built’ area.
Areas were organised by holiday rituals. Clever design tricks like sliding panels connect occupants with the landscape, or facilitate privacy. Similarly mirrors play tricks with space, views and light.
Nannygai blurs the lines of traditional rooms, deconstructing them to allow lots of people to use them simultaneously. For example, multiple sliding stacking doors convert the second living area into an overflow bunk room. The long kitchen island almost looks to stretch towards the adjoining deck, creating the perfect gathering place for functions and feasts alike.
Even from the street, this home champions the calming, ocean views.
The home was built simply as a frame for the surrounding landscape. From the street, one looks ‘through’ the house to the ocean view beyond. As a result, you effectively ignore the house altogether.
The external materials are raw, non-reflective and predominately pre-finished meaning they will require little maintenance. Because of this, the home will be able to endure the harsh coastal environment.
Photographer — Christopher Frederick Jones
Architect — Paul Butterworth Architect
Structural Engineer — SCG Consulting Engineers
Landscaping — Planted Agenda
Builders — Andersen Quality Constructions + Roko Builds
Joinery — Architectural Timber Joinery
Nannygai just makes us want to pack up and move to an island! Wouldn’t you agree?! What a view! Thank you to Paul for sharing this island beauty with us. For more projects from Paul Butterworth Architect, be sure to take a look at their website and Instagram page.
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