Willunga Shack by Alana Cooke
Set within the coastal landscape of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, Willunga Shack by Alana Cooke is a considered renovation of a modest 1960s holiday home that embraces the enduring appeal of simple coastal living.
Located within easy reach of both McLaren Vale and Port Willunga, the project responds to a lifestyle shaped by slower mornings, time spent outdoors and a close connection to the surrounding landscape.
The renovation honours the familiar character of the original shack, retaining its existing footprint and modest scale while carefully refining how the home is experienced. Long associated with simple holiday living, the shack typology carries a sense of nostalgia and ease that became central to the design approach. The intention was not to transform the building into something entirely new, but to enhance its inherent qualities through considered interventions that improve light, flow and connection to nature.
A complete reworking of the interior layout has improved circulation and brought greater openness to the living spaces. New windows were introduced to frame views of the surrounding landscape and draw natural light deep into the home, particularly within the kitchen and living areas. Throughout the renovation, attention was given to creating moments of connection with the outdoors, allowing trees, sky and garden to become an integral part of daily life.
One of the project's defining elements is the continuous deck that extends along the length of the house. Responding to the site's natural fall, the deck creates a seamless threshold between inside and out while embedding the home more comfortably within the landscape. It provides a place for quiet morning coffees, relaxed afternoon gatherings and everyday engagement with the changing weather and seasons.
The surrounding garden played an equally important role in shaping the project. Inspired by Mediterranean landscapes and informed by Californian, Italian and Australian planting traditions, the landscape design combines limestone gravel, drought-tolerant herbs and soft, textural planting to create an informal and enduring setting. A mature peppercorn tree, previously hidden behind a collection of ageing sheds, now becomes a focal point, framed from within the home and celebrated as part of the broader garden experience.
Externally, the material palette respects the humble character of the original structure. Recladding and exterior upgrades were carefully selected to align with the home's era and understated nature, ensuring the renovation feels grounded within its context.
Inside, a restrained palette of natural timbers, terrazzo and richly textured fabrics introduces warmth and tactility. Integrated storage contributes to a sense of calm and order, reinforcing the home as a place of retreat and restoration. The materials were chosen for their honesty, durability and ability to age gracefully, creating interiors that feel comfortable, relaxed and deeply lived in.
Light remains a constant presence throughout the home. Openings have been positioned to capture northern sunlight while framing carefully considered views of trees both within the site and beyond. As daylight shifts across surfaces and seasonal changes move through the landscape, the experience of the home evolves alongside it.
Grounded, relaxed and quietly refined, Willunga Shack demonstrates how modest architecture can be elevated through thoughtful design. By embracing the qualities already present within the original home and strengthening its relationship with the landscape, the project creates a serene retreat that celebrates simplicity, warmth and connection to place.
