Coral Street Art Space (Tumbi Tjil-Urma Yiti) has launched a new exhibition showcasing post-war architectural modernism in South Australia.

With a world-class coastline stretching more than 4,000km, it’s no wonder South Australians have always been lured to a seaside lifestyle, but how has our taste for coastal architecture evolved over time?

Dr James Curry, Lecturer in Interior Architecture at the University of South Australia, has extensively explored the allure of seaside living after World War II, offering insight into the history of the South Australian beach home.

“Modern Beach Homes 1950-1970 aims to offer insight into a particular arena of post-war architectural modernism: the single-family domestic beach house, artistically furnished, and thoughtfully attuned to existing site conditions and natural and scenic surroundings,” Dr Curry says.

“This exhibition will be a long overdue representation, exploration and celebration of the beach home, while offering up enticing new territory for further study.

“The point of departure will be the development of interest in artistic modernist principles of design and to discover, what drove individuals to build these homes.”

The exhibition presents a thematically oriented display of a select number of beach homes, captured through archival black-and-white and colour photographs, copies of original drawings, newspaper articles published at the time of the home’s completion and descriptive texts.

City of Victor Harbor Mayor Dr Moira Jenkins says it’s a worthwhile exhibition to view.

“When wandering along any coastline or peninsula in South Australia, it’s hard not to ogle at the magnificent architecture that lines the foreshore and backstreets.”

“It’s fascinating to look back at a specific period in time and examine what principles were popular and prevalent, but also what led families to building these homes.”

The exhibition is led by Dr James Curry in collaboration with curator Chris Summer, Adriel Booker (owner of Found), That Retro Man Adelaide, University of South Australia, State Library of South Australia, Heritage South Australia and the City of Victor Harbor.

Modern Beach Homes 1950-1970 opened 14 January and will be on display until 28 February.

Coral Street Art Space is open from 10am to 3pm, Wednesday to Friday. Visit the website for more information.