Recognition

For three decades, SurfCoast Architecture's work has been recognised in national design media, published books and on television — from Jeremy Ham's own home in the bush behind Bells Beach to houses across the Surf Coast. A selection is below.

1. Abode TV — Bells Beach Bush House

As seen on TV · Abode

Inside the Bells Beach Bush House

Abode TV steps inside Jeremy's own home and studio in the bushland behind Bells Beach — a new home built to nestle into the landscape rather than impose on it.

. The Age · Domain — "Love that house music"

The Age · Domain — Homes by Design Innovation

January 2012 · Words by Jenny Brown · Photography by Erik Holt

The Age's Domain profiles Jeremy Ham's own home — the "House of Funk" — on a two-hectare bush block just inland from Bells Beach. Sited to respect the twisting old-growth messmates on the block, the home curves down the land contours and is almost entirely free of right angles.

"Jeremy Ham's free-form composition is all about curves and flow."

"It's on the Surf Coast, so it had to have funk!" — Jeremy Ham

The Age · Domain — "The humble beach house"

What the humble beach house looks like now

A Domain feature on how the Australian beach house has evolved — with Jeremy Ham on designing for the landscape over spectacle.

"It's meant to be about the landscape, it's not meant to be about looking at the buildings."

4. In print — Australia’s Best Houses

SurfCoast Architecture projects feature in *Best Coastal Homes*, a national collection of Australia's finest coastal residences.

5. In the media

"Jan Juc's most distinctive architectural masterpiece"

When Jeremy's own home behind Bells Beach came to market, it drew coverage from the national to the local. Both news.com.au and the Surf Coast Times featured the "architect's-own" house on five acres of native bushland — designed for a minimal presence, hidden from the road, and built for ecologically-sustainable living to last 100 years.

"Cleverly concealed from the road… Jan Juc's most distinctive architectural masterpiece emerges." — Surf Coast Times

"As an 'architect's-own' home, buyers are gaining the benefit of thousands of hours of considered design thinking." — Hayden Real Estate

Links

- news.com.au — "Jan Juc architect lists cool, sustainable house near Bells Beach"

- Surf Coast Times — "The Ultimate Jan Juc Beach House"

6. In Print Best Coastal Homes

Featuring the Aireys Inlet Beach House- a sustainable, low maintenance and fire-resistant dwelling designed for a retired couple. The house is simple and cost-effective and designed to nestle into the streetscape.

5* Google Reviews

SurfCoast Architecture pride ourselves on serving the needs of our wonderful clients through the complexities of design, planning, tendering and construction.

Renovation at Bellbrae- 5 Stars: If you are looking for an innovative architect who listens to your ideas, wants and needs then Jeremy Ham at Surf Coast Architecture is the person you need. Our extension added two spacious studios (one of which doubles as our home theatre),and a kitchenette with wine cellar. It transformed our house internally and provides an eye catching prospect as visitors arrive.

Renovation at Bells Beach- 5 Stars: Jeremy was fantastic to work with. His designs were both creative and practical, and were able to be turned into reality. Every step of the way we were consulted which meant our vision remained front and centre of the design. We now have a beautiful addition to our home. Highly recommend SurfCoast Architecture.

New house at Jan Juc- 5 Stars: It was a pleasure working with Jeremy to create our home. He took the time to understand what we were looking for, and was a great communicator. It was a tricky block of land to work with but his design ideas were both creative and practical. Jeremy also went above and beyond to get us through the planning process. We couldn't be happier with the end result - our home is warm, functional and beautiful to live in. We highly recommend SurfCoast Architecture!

Renovation at Bells Beach- 5 Stars: Highly recommend SurfCoast Architecture. We are thrilled with the result and the process was a joy. Absolutely the right architects for us.

Jeremy Ham Education

• REIV Cert IV Real Estate Agent Representative 2026

• PhD (Architecture & Design) RMIT University SIAL Sound Studios  2019                                                                                     

• Master of Architecture (Research), Deakin University 2004

• Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), Deakin University 1993

• Bachelor of Arts (Architecture), Deakin University 1991                                              

Professional Registration

• Registered Architect, ARBV — since 1997

• Member, Association of Consulting Architects

• Member, Real Estate Institute of Victoria

Teaching Excellence Awards

Jeremy's architectural practice has always been underpinned by a rigorous academic foundation. Jeremy taught hundreds of students design and construction technology- many of whom are now local practitioners. His teaching at Deakin University was recognised at the highest national level for his authentic approach to design education.

• National Carrick Award for University Teaching — Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2006) for the nation’s top academics.

• Vice-Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching (2006) the penultimate award for teaching excellence.

• Deakin University WJC Banks Award for Distinguished Contribution to Teaching & Learning (2002) the top award for teaching at Deakin - one award issued per year to the University’s best educator.

MBAV Award

• Master Builders Association of Victoria — Best Residential Project under $200,000 Pt Lonsdale Studio, built by David Jarman Builders (2003)

Community and Governance

Beyond the practice, Jeremy contributes to the Surf Coast arts community:

• Vice President, Surf Coast Art Space Inc (Hoop Gallery) — hoopgallery.com.au

• Committee Member, Torquay Multi Arts Complex(The MAC) — themac.org.au

Digital artist

Under his Musico-Spatial practice, Jeremy transforms improvised drum performances into three-dimensional artworks. His Liquid Polyrhythm series translates recorded drumming into generative spatial form — exhibited and available as large-format prints — while Synaespatia, a networked VR work, has been performed internationally, including at Ars Electronica. Explore the full body of work at jjham.com.