In the early 1980’s, one of the local identities was a Coolum surfer called Grommet. During a big night out with his mates Grommet went to Brisbane and stayed at the Breakfast Creek Hotel. The hotel caught fire and Grommet died in the blaze. In many ways, his demise represents the loss of an original character and was a warning of things to come.

Amidst an emerging built culture of treacle like render, pseudo Doric columns, bird baths and cherubs, a so called taste conscious “Brick Veneerial” and “Bull nose” building has replaced the old unpretentious fibro shop with its simplicity, lightness, cover stripped cladding and ribbon casements fenestration.

This spirit, like Grommet, lives on in the Chapman house which is well designed, uses simple, light materials and imagery, yet contemporary methods of fenestration, retractable walls, hot air louvres, vent louvres and adjustable transparency.

The whole block of land acts as the first floor level of the house whether floor area, courtyards or indoor/outdoor spaces. The robust red rock base becomes “Wall” or “Fence” alike and acts as an urban privacy, acoustic and security base for the lightweight, roof articulated upper storey. The “L” shape plan acts as protector to the southeast yet still allows adjustable aspect to the north, and views of the environment park to the south. All rooms in the single cell, linear plan have access to northerly courts using “non walls” and adjustable fenestration.