Sandford
Sandford reflects a century-long relationship between one family and a coastal place shaped by childhood memories, tradition and time. The site’s first family shack was relocated and rebuilt here in 1928, followed by a series of modest structures assembled by successive generations using reclaimed materials. Over decades, these buildings formed an informal landscape of gathering and retreat.
The owners sought a contemporary, understated home that could support permanent residency while remaining true to this history - modest in scale, grounded in the rhythms of shack living, and respectful of the traditional custodianship of the Mumirimina people. Rather than replacing what came before, the architecture continues the evolving story of the property within its landscape.
Place
Perched on an elevated escarpment, the site captures northern light and panoramic coastal views, with a hill and headland providing shelter from cold southerly winds and sea breezes. Paths wind through remnantvegetation toward an aged boatshed and sandy shoreline, reinforcing a strong sense of arrival and movement through landscape.
The architecture sits lightly within this setting. Zincalume cladding reflects the shifting tones of the coastline, while timber interiors introduce warmth, echoing the traditions of durable, hand-crafted shack building that define the site’s character.
Process
Separate pavilions became the focus of the design, allowing the home to sit gently within thelandscape while continuing the informal pattern of smaller structures that have shaped the property over generations. This approach emerged through careful consideration of planning requirements, coastal overlays, neighbouring proximity and the desire to retain mature trees - guiding a response that feels open, adaptable and closely connected to place.
The pavilions gather around a protected north-facing verandah, where indoor and outdoor living overlap and everyday movement through the home feels relaxed and intuitive. Moving between rooms often means stepping outside, deepening awareness of weather, light and seasonal change. A plinth of reclaimed bricks, gathered by the family over many decades, anchors the architecture to its history, while lightweight timber and metal forms extend toward sunlight and views.
Impact
Craftsmanship and attention to detail shape how the home is experienced each day. A deliberately simple exterior allowed greater investment in the areas people live within — high-performance glazing, solid timber joinery, acoustic battened ceilings and carefully crafted linings that create warmth and comfort.
Awards & Jury Citation
2026 RAIA Tas Chapter - The Esmond Dorney Award For Residential Architecture – Houses (new):
“Sandford carries a century of family memory. Generations have built and rebuilt shacks on this site, each iteration shaped through material reclamation. The new house does not subjugate itself to the informality of the Tasmanian shack. Instead, the architect develops a clear architectural idea, organising the home as a series of smaller built forms that respond to the unique brief of clients who bring their lived experience to the table.
Rather than a single dwelling beneath one roof, the house is arranged around a sheltered north-facing verandah. Moving between rooms requires stepping outside. You feel the weather, hear the sea, and glimpse the headland. The house invites engagement with these elements, while also providing refuge. Unlike the leaky shacks of the past, it offers shelter and comfort, carefully framing aspect and outlook.
A plinth of bricks gathered across decades grounds lighter forms in timber and Zincalume, drawing on a vernacular tradition rather than mimicking its luxury. The jury was delighted by the many small surprises throughout, including a sliding window behind the kitchen that opens onto a semi-commercial servery. Even on the coldest days, the house feels warm and full of light.
What the architects have achieved is understated and remarkable. They have assembled the values, materials, and rhythms of the older shacks into a house that belongs to its own time, acknowledging nostalgia while resolving a clear and coherent architectural expression.
Sandford is a thoughtful continuation of a family connection to this place, and a deserving recipient of the Esmond Dorney Award.”
Traditional Custodians
The Palawa
Location
Lauderdale, Tasmania
Status
Completed 2024
Category
Residential - Houses (New)
Awards
2026 RAIA Tas Chapter - The Esmond Dorney Award For Residential Architecture – Houses (new)
Photography
Adam Gibson
Key Collaborators
Builder:
Delpero & Clements Builders
Land Surveyors:
John Bamford & Associates
Building Surveyor:
Lee Tyers Building Surveyors
Structural and Hydraulic Engineering:
Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
Services Engineering:
ASC Engineers
Safety In Design Consultant:
Aware365