Shakespeare House – Bateau Bay, Australia

Previously a classic Australian red brick building, this home has been given a fresh new look and feel using Vulcan timbers.

Project details

Architect: Fabric Architecture

Builder: The Building Establishment

Product: Vulcan Cladding (WB10 Profile 138x20), Bandsawn finish in Protector – Walnut

Vulcan Screening (65mm x 32mm), Bandsawn finish in Protector – Walnut

Timber distributor: Britton Timbers

Project completed: Jan 2023

Location: Bateau Bay, NSW, Australia

Photography and Videography: Simon Whitbread

Like most 1970s builds, the original Shakespeare House was structurally sound but a little tired, prompting Fabric Architecture to reuse the existing form, beginning their redesign from the inside out.

Despite the bones being kept, there is little sign of its brick beginnings, with the new external palette of Vulcan Cladding and Vulcan Screening alongside Barestone prefinished panels giving way to new openings onto the landscaping as well as light-filled, modern interior spaces.

“Large windows were placed to view greenery including the established angophora tree to the street,” says architect Damien Furey. “The materiality, specifically Abodo timber cladding, blends seamlessly with the Australian bush while the native gardens seek to give back what was originally taken away by suburbia.”

Shakespeasre House Vulcan Cladding and Vulcan Screening in Protector Walnut Abodo Wood 05

To minimise sightlines and sun loss, the form of the home steps in line with the slope of the street, with plate steel vertical and horizontal blades set at a lower datum to give the house a grounded feel within the streetscape.

The highly stable, thermally modified Vulcan Cladding enabled a hidden garage door on the north face of the building, while operable gates and batten screens on the large north facing window provide privacy and textural interest to this exposed orientation.

Shakespeasre House Vulcan Cladding and Vulcan Screening in Protector Walnut Abodo Wood 02

“

The Abodo timber was light and straight to work with, providing an exceptional level of detail, low tolerances and a high quality finish. The usual timber acclimatisation process was non-existent, compared to standard hardwood. From an architectural perspective, Abodo’s colour stain range and profiles also provide a wide array of design opportunities.”

- Damien Furey, Director and Architect at Fabric Architecture

“The sustainable timber cladding and screening is varied and responds to the internal layout by creating private balconies, gardens and privacy connected to light and nature where required,” says Damien, adding that, from a practical point of view, the feedback from the builder on using the Abodo cladding and screening was wholly positive.

For this home, the choice to use the warm, rich brown tones of Protector – Walnut on the Abodo timbers helps create a sophisticated, contemporary look that gives this home a whole new lease on life.