Beach houses are designed specifically for coastal stays where one can enjoy their leisure time with friends and family. They are also known as beach cottages or coastal homes, residences on or near a beach, and are often used as vacation or second homes. Beach houses are frequently designed to withstand the unique coastal climate and may have features like large windows, outdoor spaces, and elevated foundations. These houses are made with durable materials that are resistant to saltwater and exposure to the climate. They need extra efficiency in their construction techniques that make them livable.

Looking at the characteristics of beach houses, one can see how the spaces can turn your living experience safe and sound.

What are the different types of Beach Houses?

Beach Houses and their architectural styles differ from place to place. Beaches undergo a seasonal change from being wider in summer to narrower and steeper in winter. Hence, the architecture of a beach house is a response to the climate of a region, involving other types of architectural knowledge. Beach houses enhance the coastal experience by bringing humans close to nature.

The different types of beach houses are

1. Mediterranean Style

It has arches and stucco, terracotta roofs used in the construction, giving the spaces a Mediterranean feel.

2. Coastal Traditional Style

Traditional beach houses that have porches and front gardens in their open floor plans, which offer one outdoor space.

3. Contemporary Coastal Style

This style mixes contemporary aesthetics with coastal effects that include open floor plans, large windows, and clean lines in construction.

4. Duplexes/Condos

These are basic beach houses that are low in cost and have free-flowing plans and designs.

5. Key West-style

This style has a design that has colorful paint and large openings that make the house a very interesting place to live.

What are the characteristics of a Beach House?

Looking at the above architectural style for a beach house, we can also see its types through how they are planned and designed. Other elements are:

1. Location:

It must be situated on or near the beach, allowing easy access to the shores and the ocean views.

2. Designs:

If they are built on sand, special considerations must be carried out for resisting the climate effect by using different paints and foundation techniques for stability.

3. Materials:

There are specific materials that are used while building them, such as wood, stainless steel, fiber-cement siding, or concrete blocks, depending on the different building codes for different regions.

4. Amenities:

There must be certain spaces, such as decks, patios, and gardens, for enjoying the beach and ocean views.

Examples:

1. Old House Design in a small hamlet

• Traditional Coastal Beach House

This old home is built on the coastal area of the Konkan valley, being the ancestral home for the family. This house sits on the sub-tropical terrain of the region with fresh air and birds around. It has red laterite stone, a pitched roof, and traditional architectural elements, making it a traditional coastal beach house.

• Location: The Konkan Valley, Maharashtra

Being just half a mile away from the beach, the waves on the shore surround the house. Along with the winds that pass by through the water makes the environment of the beach house very serene in its own way.

• Materials: Locally available materials

Here, there was a use of locally available materials around the house. The use of Kota, Kadappa, Jaiselmer, and Shabad stone slabs was used in the flooring of the house. The waste from these was repurposed to build multi-color mosaic floors in the verandah.

• Design of the house:

The house has a verandah, formed due to the built blocks around each other, which have seating spaces under trees, allowing the sea breeze to come through. Furthermore, it visually connects the lawn to the seats.

• Amenities:

The house has many intimate spaces, giving everyone individual space that they need. It has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a double-height living space, verandas, terraces, a kitchen with an outdoor dining area, a gym, and staff quarters.

This traditional coastal beach house has many open and semi-open spaces that serve the passageways connecting the whole house. The materials have the effect of the region due to their local sourcing.

2. House near Vagator, Goa

• Contemporary Coastal beach house

The beach house in the Goan village near Vagator beach has timber, using modern construction techniques. The structure consists of eleven glulam portal frames that define the central volume of the home

• Location: Goan village, Vagator beach

It is located in a tranquil village of Goa, near the Vagator beach, which is made up of timber. This house is a sea-facing house that is cost-effective and an experiment in the construction with timber on the coastal part.

• Materials:

The beach house consists of stilts and concrete retaining walls. It is a single linear rock that has a pitched roof made by keeping in mind the Goa monsoon seasons. It is made of glulam or glued laminated timber that has structural integrity and a low carbon footprint, with strength comparable to steel.

• Design:

The beach house is economically and environmentally sustainable and efficient. Also, the beach house consists of detailed drawings and structural planning. There is an open plan scheme within the linear block of the beach house. The living and dining area sits within the center of the house, while the semi-private guest bedrooms are at the end of the house.

• Amenities:

There are double-height spaces in the beach house that allow the open plan areas to have infused light through the skylights that also provide the air of the shores.

The beach house is the amalgamation of spaces, such as the passageways formed near the staircase, which have a view of the living room, while there are wood workshops that are in the lower level.

3. A house with natural materials and airy colors

• Key-West style

This beach house uses natural materials, airy colors, and openings that allow the sea winds to flow inside, giving the house a very light atmosphere.

• Location: Dumas beach, Surat

The beach house is a 7500 sqft area opposite the Dumas beach in Surat city, having a connection with the surrounding spaces in its design.

• Materials:

The construction of this beach house uses natural materials such as brick. The brick-clad facades of the house protect it from the harsh climate of the coastal area. There is the use of wooden furniture and bright colored upholstery that makes the rooms lavish and cozy.

• Design:

The beach house has a plan where every space is accessible from the center of the house. Moreover, the house has a gazebo and elevated landscape around it that gives one access to the environment of the beach.

• Amenities:

The beach house also has certain amenities, such as a refreshing swimming pool area that overlooks the patio. Additionally, this patio offers a sitting space that can connect one to the beach.

The combination of beautiful colors and materials, such as Kota stones, gave the beach house a very luxurious and cozy look. The beach house is a good example of mixing colors with nature in the coastal region, where there is beautiful sunlight and fresh air.

Conclusion

Looking at the characteristics of a beach house and the examples, one can see how the designs can affect the spatial qualities. Beach houses are places where one comes to rejuvenate time as a family or group. These are places that offer open floor plans with skylights in the roof that infuse natural light will enhance the house. Lately, they have been the kind of houses in which people invest for their places of leisure. Looking at the designs, we can say that they are places that can enhance leisure time.

Content Writing and Research: Rajeshwari Pandya Modi