Architecture studio MGAO has completed a comprehensive renovation of a 1950s beach house in Anglesea, Victoria, Australia, creating a light-filled family home centered around a native courtyard garden. The project transforms the original mid-century property into a contemporary living space while preserving its characteristic architectural elements and strengthening its connection to the surrounding landscape.
Located on Australia's renowned Surf Coast, the renovated home was designed for a young family seeking an open, functional living environment. The 200-square-meter, single-story residence features expansive glass windows, natural timber panels, and a crisp white steel roof that celebrates the property's mid-century heritage. MGAO maintained the original L-shaped floor plan and existing brick walls, which were refinished with a sandy yellow cement render to create a cohesive aesthetic.
"We began with a vision of retaining the original dwelling, but due to disrepair and current regulations, a significant amount of new work was required," explained MGAO director Matt Goodman. "The original home was charming but impractical – with poor insulation and awkward add-ons, the best option was to sensitively rebuild." To ensure authenticity, the design team referenced the original working drawings, replicating key elements including the structural grid, rafter spacing, eave overhangs, and window proportions.
The heart of the renovated home is an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area that seamlessly connects to the courtyard garden through floor-to-ceiling windows. The existing windows were modified to reduce visible timber framing and create cleaner sight lines to the outdoor space. New timber decking extends the living area outdoors, while winding pathways lead through native Moonah trees to a separate studio building that houses a guest bedroom and bathroom.
Inside, the architects employed a restrained material palette combining natural and off-white timber paneling with pale brickwork and neutral finishes. This minimal approach creates a calm backdrop that emphasizes views of the garden and surrounding vegetation. "The color comes from the surrounding Moonah trees and the passing of the day," Goodman noted. "The Blackbutt hardwood timber used throughout connects the interior to the surrounding vegetation, while everything else was chosen to form a calming background to everyday life, ensuring that the focus was outwards, towards the native garden."
One of the project's most significant interventions involved raising the ceiling height, which required complete reconstruction of the roof structure. This proved to be one of the greatest challenges, as the original structural columns were not compliant with the weight requirements of the new roof system. The bedrooms and bathrooms were designed with functionality and simplicity in mind, with the bedroom wing's roof updated to replicate the exposed rafters featured in the main living space. The master bedroom includes floor-to-ceiling windows that frame garden views.
Sustainability considerations played an important role in the renovation, with MGAO incorporating solar panels and a heat pump for water heating. The design also features improved insulation throughout, operable windows for cross-ventilation, and deep eaves that provide summer shade while allowing winter sun penetration. These energy-efficient features help reduce the home's environmental impact while improving year-round comfort for the occupants.
The completed project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can honor mid-century architectural heritage while meeting contemporary living standards. The builders were Great Ocean Road Builders, with joinery by Higher Level Joinery, glazing by Edge Glass and Aluminum, structural engineering by Simon Anderson Consultants, and landscaping by CD Landscapes. Photography of the completed project was captured by Jack Lovel, showcasing the successful integration of interior and exterior spaces around the central courtyard garden.
