The back of the home faces the road.
Timber beams and ceiling are preserved.
Rob Gansl in the kitchen of his funky 60s home he is selling, with some of his collection of Sunbeam mixers. Picture: KIRK GILMOUR
A classic retro beach house at Port Kembla has gone on the market for the first time since 1978 for $1.1 million.
Architect Nino Sydney came up with the modernist design, the Beachcomber, as a project home for Lend Lease in the early 60s to meet the surge in demand for affordable housing in Sydney.
Owner Rob Gansl, a real estate agent with architectural design background, bought the house 34 years ago and, apart from a few modifications, tried to preserve many of the original features.
He said he hoped it would be preserved as many of these homes were built in the 60s but a lot have since been demolished or substantially renovated.
The house is on Dovers Road with close to 180-degree views.
"The original owner was a public works engineer who reversed the design so the front faced the sea," Mr Gansl said.
"To give the entrance a more traditional street front, he extended the dining room forward so that the front door was at the side for a more aesthetic flow."
However, Mr Gansl said it did not detract from the essence of the Beachcomber design which features elevation, exposed timber beam ceilings, and timber-framed windows.
In 1963 Mr Sydney told the Mercury the chance to design the Beachcomber in 1961 was a dream come true.
"As a young student of architecture as early as 1951 I favoured contemporary designs and was influenced by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier," Mr Sydney said.
"The design was very suitable for Sydney's bushy and sloping areas, especially for rocky outcrops among the gum trees.
"It treated the land lightly and was a very economical home for many young families."
Mr Gansl said there was now a movement that supported the funky '50s and '60s modernist designed homes.
"These homes do have a great feel but then I'm a real fan of the era and have a collection of '50s and '60s furniture and appliances including a swag of old Sunbeam Mixmasters," he said.
