McMasters Beach Courtyard House

Three generations. Two businesses. One house. This glorious renovation in sunny McMasters Beach has it all.

Architect, Matt Thitchener, faced a number of challenges. The first was to create a multi-purpose building that worked together to form a whole. In response, the house has been divided into three private wings that embrace a common courtyard where everyone can come together.

The owners were keen to use striking black cladding on the home’s exterior. The only drawback? It decreased the size of the home. “The whole house was bigger before we selected the cladding and I’ve just readjusted down to suit the exact panel sizes so that we can minimise our cuts, minimise wastage but, more importantly, so everything just lines up,” says Thitchener.

Environmental considerations were hugely important. “The west wing provides protection from low-angle afternoon sun, and the east and west wings both help to filter breezes straight through the middle of the building,” he says.

“Wherever possible there’s glazing connecting the north and the south facades that opens up to control the breezes as well. We’ve got massive glass sliding doors, we’ve got double-height floor-to-ceiling wall-to-wall glass units, we’ve got delicate louvre suites, and the whole system just goes together effortlessly.”

The massive sliding doors can also be opened wide on hot days to cool the home and create a spacious indoor/outdoor room.

“The house sits on a polished concrete slab which is used as a heat sink to keep temperatures throughout the year constant and comfortable, and all of the glazing facing north is protected by really deep eaves that make sure the glass and the slab are in shade in the middle of summer. But in winter, the slab’s just bathed in sunlight and heats up through the day and then reradiates back out at night,” says Thitchener.

“When a client tells you that they’ve only turned their air conditioner on twice in the last two years that’s pretty good feedback!”