Otway Beach House: Fire-Resistant Design in Australia's Flame Zone

Kerstin Thompson Architects has completed the Otway Beach House, a 196 m² residence located in Wye River, Australia, on the edge of a national park. The project, completed in 2024, was designed to meet stringent bushfire resistance regulations, as the site is classified as a 'flame zone.' The architects turned this regulatory challenge into a generative design opportunity, creating a monolithic, ground-anchored building that offers dual views of the sea and forest. The principal architect is Kerstin Thompson, with a design team including Hilary Sleigh, Laura Patterson, Lynn Chew, Sarah Cooper, and William Samuels. The construction was carried out by G.L. Building & Construction, with engineering by OPS Engineers, geotechnical and land management by AGR GeoSciences, cost engineering by Harlock Consulting, urban planning by Planning Central, bushfire consulting by South Coast Bushfire Consultants, and surveying by AH & LJ Jeavons. The project was curated by Miwa Negoro and photographed by Sharyn Cairns. The house is categorized under 'Casas' (Houses) and was featured on ArchDaily. The design leverages the regulatory constraints to produce a building that is both resilient and integrated with its natural surroundings.