- Project: Humble House
- Architect: Coy Yiontis Architects
- Location: Australia, Barwon Heads
- Year: 2022
- Photography: Tatjana Plitt
Set against the relaxed coastal backdrop of Barwon Heads, Humble House by Coy Yiontis Architects is a residence designed for an older couple seeking a contemporary, manageable home that integrates memories of their past while supporting their future. The home is both intimate and expansive, prioritizing comfort, sustainability, and accessibility without sacrificing bold architectural character.
Responding to Site and Context
The residence occupies a sloping site with challenging western exposure to neighboring properties. To ensure privacy and mitigate overshadowing, the architects conceived a long, tall building form running the full western boundary. This solution shields the home from intrusive views and creates a sense of security, while the interiors remain light-filled and open.
Living areas are oriented to the north for natural daylight and cross-ventilation, while bedrooms face east to embrace morning sun. This site-specific orientation reduces energy consumption while enhancing comfort.
Contemporary Design for Aging in Place
Designed for clients downsizing from a large heritage homestead, Humble House eliminates barriers with a single-level plan, continuous floor heights, and accessible circulation throughout. Gardens are terraced for ease of maintenance, and thoughtful inclusions such as a bench seat at the entry, an outdoor shower for sandy feet, and a direct pantry access hatch from the garage elevate daily convenience.
Private studies double as guest bedrooms, ensuring flexibility for visiting family. A separate study with its own bathroom offers the potential for future live-in care, demonstrating foresight in designing for aging gracefully in place.
Materiality and Craftsmanship
The exterior’s steep skillion roof gives the house a striking profile, while cladding and screening in spotted gum timber reinforce both sustainability and visual warmth. As a plantation-sourced material, spotted gum reflects the architects’ emphasis on environmentally responsible design. Interiors are finely detailed, personalized with niches for cherished mementos collected over a lifetime, balancing modern aesthetics with intimate storytelling.
Modern Comforts and Energy Performance
Despite its modest scale, the home incorporates state-of-the-art technologies. Hydronic heating, electric blinds, and double-glazed windows enhance thermal efficiency and ease of living. The house achieves a 6-star BERS energy rating, supported by rainwater tanks integrated into sanitary systems, natural cross-ventilation, and locally sourced, durable materials suited for the coastal climate.
A Coastal Retreat for Family and Future
Humble House is more than a downsized residence—it is a deeply considered home where architecture, landscape, and lifestyle converge. Its design allows the clients to enjoy privacy and quietude while hosting their grandchildren in an environment that is both nurturing and sustainable. By blurring indoor and outdoor boundaries and maximizing every corner of the site, Coy Yiontis Architects have created a retreat that is contemporary, adaptable, and timeless.
