CROWDED HOUSE This thoroughly modern Central Coast home comfortably caters for every single member of its enterprising owner-builders’ multi-generational family
An enterprising couple on the NSW Central Coast commissioned a simple rectilinear base for three generations of their family to thrive
Who lives here Vanessa Speed, a ceramicist; her husband Shaune, CEO of Wastewater Australia; their three youngest children: Thomas, 19, Isabelle, 18, and Oliver, 12; plus kelpie dog Scout and poodle Toby.
Style of home A thoroughly modern home in NSW’s MacMasters Beach that provides space, privacy and functionality for a multi-generational family. Three-and-a-half years from design through to completion.
The house has been valued at around $5 million.
Family life is literally a breeze in the bold and beautiful MacMasters Beach home of Vanessa and Shaune Speed. For the young grandparents, who have five children aged 12 to 31 between them, the “black courtyard house” they lovingly brought to life from the ground up ticks every box on their owner-builder wish list.
On almost a hectare of headland at the southern tip of the NSW Central Coast, the home revels in its glorious location with sublime views of the ocean and Bouddi National Park.
Yet best of all, perhaps, is the fact that this is a family home in the truest sense. As Vanessa, a ceramicist, says: “We wanted a house that would cater for our growing family, with grandchildren, an elderly mother and also my sister who uses a wheelchair, as well as being operational for our business – with a designated area for an office and an art studio. Our aim was to build a black box-style structure that would nestle into the landscape – a home that would be cohesive, functional, sustainable and also aesthetically pleasing.”
Seasoned renovators Vanessa and Shaune were living with their expanding clan in an extended beach shack 200 metres down the road when they realised the time had come to make a move. “After a few years of all living together, and with my mother’s health declining, the children becoming teenagers and our business growing, we decided we needed more space to meet all of our needs,” says Vanessa. “There is little acreage available at MacMasters Beach, so when we discovered this bushland up for sale, we moved heaven and earth to buy it. Through the dense bush, Shaune and I immediately saw the potential of this block.”
Calling on the expertise of architect Matt Thitchener, the Speeds were quietly confident that their goal was within reach. “We knew we were going big, and fortunately Shaune and I have completely different skill sets that complement each other in a practical sense,” says Vanessa. “We were both on the same page and knew what we wanted, and Matt was able to translate that into his design. He worked creatively and practically to include his own ideas for things like cross-ventilation, using louvres in the bedrooms and hallways to capture breezes. It was important to us to keep the rooms cool in summer without relying on air-conditioning.”
With a declared love of high ceilings and airy zones flooded with daylight, the couple embraced the concept of a ‘courtyard house’ in which the core living spaces wrap around a large central courtyard and pool. Their vision was certainly rewarded. Sleek, dark and ultra-contemporary on the outside, this is a home that is joyously bright and luminous within. “Natural light is extremely important,” says Matt. “Most of the living areas, work spaces and transitional spaces open to the light. There are three distinct zones in the house – the parents’ wing, the kids’ wing and the guest wing. The entry is an impressive doubleheight space with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass to both
the north and south elevations, with a sculptural steel and concrete staircase leading upstairs.”
Showcasing materials that appear slightly rough around the edges – namely concrete, steel and exposed recycled brick – the interiors are united by a timeless monochromatic base palette. “This enabled us to furnish with colour,” says Vanessa, referencing the burnt-orange leather sofa and peacock-blue vintage armchairs in the core living zone opening to the courtyard and pool. “It also meant we could decorate the gallery-style walls with an eclectic mix of artworks.”
Another key aspect of the home is its lush greenery, providing a wonderful outlook and a real sense of privacy. From the outset, the Speeds wanted a garden layered with colour, texture and interest so they hired Costata Landscape Design to incorporate plantings of natives, such as tuckeroo trees and banksias, amid paved and grassy areas. A smaller cottage-style garden, created for Vanessa’s mother using her favourite plants, is sprinkled with fragrant frangipanis, gardenias and magnolias.
“We love how secluded the house and garden are,” says Vanessa. “It’s so peaceful and relaxing, and yet we’re only 10 minutes from the shops and two minutes to the beach. My favourite space to chill out is my art studio. It looks over the western side of the national park and the sunsets are breathtaking as they’re framed by the landscaped garden and bushland.”
Going solo in the studio is a departure for Vanessa as the rest of her home is often full of people. “It’s very busy, with our children and their friends, our grandchildren and all sorts of other family members and friends constantly coming and going,” she says. “This house is a real hub for our family’s life.”
LIVING “The recycled brick wall was a last-minute addition I’m really pleased we ran with,” says Vanessa. “It gives the space an unexpected warmth and presents as a beautiful textured backdrop for our artwork and Chiswick sideboard, which I bought through eBay.” Sofa, King Living. Avalon coffee table, Loughlin Furniture. Artwork by Patsy Payne. MAIN BATHROOM (opposite top) A flower-pattern tile from Coastal Tiles gives the bathrooms a dramatic look. Tapware, Meir. MAIN BEDROOM (opposite below) Vanessa chose a simple bedhead from Adairs. Linen, Eadie Lifestyle. Throw, Temple & Webster. Glass vase, a gift from Vanessa’s sister. Artwork by Patsy Payne.