An eye-catching house at Coledale is a finalist for a national award.
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‘Sharky House’ is located opposite the popular Coledale dog-walking beach.
Formerly a decades-old fibro beach shack, the property utilises recycled timber from the original house, as well as from the Headlands Hotel and other knocked down Illawarra buildings.
Design commenced in July 2012, and construction in December 2014. The project was completed in February 2016.
![BEFORE: The old 1950s fibro house at Coledale. Building designer Morgen Figgis of Barnacle Studio said this project “landed on our door with much trepidation”. BEFORE: The old 1950s fibro house at Coledale. Building designer Morgen Figgis of Barnacle Studio said this project “landed on our door with much trepidation”.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/nxytTGiVvgkfKtUJaBBBHD/85d71eb7-f349-4d46-8c42-d91c630badb4.jpg/r0_120_2004_1247_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It is now a finalist in the Australian Timber Design Awards’ ‘Recycled Timber’ category.
![AFTER: Design commenced in July 2012, and construction in December 2014. The project was completed in February 2016. Picture: Marcus Piper AFTER: Design commenced in July 2012, and construction in December 2014. The project was completed in February 2016. Picture: Marcus Piper](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/nxytTGiVvgkfKtUJaBBBHD/272785ef-d802-40fc-8836-952c13c09272.jpg/r0_219_2400_1568_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Building designer Morgen Figgis of Barnacle Studio said this project “landed on our door with much trepidation”.
He said Sharky House was “one of those dream projects – great clients, great spot and a good budget”.
“It’s a case of if I say no, then I regret what somebody else potentially does,” the Bellambi resident laughed.
“I really like the old house, so being involved in knocking it down was kind of difficult. But me not being involved is not going to save the house.
“So it at least meant my love for the old house, my respect for the old house can be transferred into the design of the new house.
“The old 1950s fibro house that was there was a favourite mid-century shack of ours, and as the process rolled along it became clear it had to go.
“So much good architecture gone with the curse of the asbestos.”
Mr Figgis completed his Bachelor of Architecture in 2000 at The University of Tasmania, and has been designing and building since that time.
Mr Figgis said in this instance the goal was to make a new dwelling that gave reference to the old, and could withstand the harsh coastal conditions for future generations with little upkeep.
He said it was important to acknowledge the house that was there previously, both in terms of detail and using some of its material.
“Using timber that’s already had an age (that) has got no problem with having another lifetime ahead of itself (works well).
“That’s the great thing about hardwood; when looked after, it really can just keep going.
“The guy who did the doors and windows, Rob Chapman, he ended up sourcing some of the timber from Headlands Hotel, so we got him to make the benchtops in the kitchen and the bathroom out of that timber specifically.”
Public voting for the awards has now closed, with the winner will be announced on October 30.