Fairhaven by LTD Architectural Design Office and DOOD Studio
Fairhaven by LTD Architectural Design Office and DOOD Studio
A resilient coastal house in Fairhaven, Victoria
In Partnership with UniCote
What does it mean to build shelter on one of Victoria’s most weathered coastlines? Along the Great Ocean Road in Fairhaven, LTD Architectural Design Studio conceived a home that responds first to wind, salt and exposure, rather than simply turning toward the view.
Positioned along the Great Ocean Road in Fairhaven, this coastal dwelling by LTD Architectural Design Studio responds to one of Victoria’s most exposed environments with restraint. Shaped by strong southerly winds, salt spray and a sloping site, the design balances view and shelter, forming a protective envelope that moderates the elements without severing connection to them. The house sits low and grounded, conceived as a weathered, geological form that settles naturally into the Surf Coast terrain. Wrapped in UniCote Lux Corten Red cladding, the exterior achieves tonal depth and corrosion resistance, ensuring durability within the harsh coastal climate. Inside, DOOD Studio shaped an interior defined by calm, where soft hues, stone, and timber bring warmth to the robust shell. The result is a contemporary expression of shelter, protected yet connected, allowing the home to age gracefully within its rugged coastal context.
‘Often the first response is to orient everything in the house towards the view, and open the house up to the view as much as possible. But that can come with some negative outcomes. You've got to deal with sun, and you've got to deal with the elements that you get on the coast. You don't want to be overexposed.’
— David Maurice, Director, LTD Architectural Design Studio
Architecture by LTD Architectural Design Studio, building design and interior design by DOOD Studio, built by Spence Construction, landscape design by Sea Echo, metal cladding by UniCote..
Produced by Simple Dwelling in partnership with UniCote. Filmed, edited, photographed and words by Anthony Richardson.
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