The original 1970’s
bungalow on this site had little to recommend it aside from extensive upper
harbour views and adjacent sea views from the second floor. The clients were
determined to maintain these views, along with the “beachside” feel of this
unique site.
A full section in a
suburb increasingly hampered by sub-division, the site runs directly down to
the water’s edge, where oak trees provide a leafy boundary. The front of the
site was to be opened up to the street and left unfenced, creating a generous
front yard and increasing the impression of the “old school” beachside suburb.
In addition to requiring
maximum sun and sea views, sustainability was integral to the design. Materials
were carefully considered for their energy efficiency and the architecture
itself needed to complement this ethos.
The house uses water
collected off the gabled roofs and the concrete walls and floor of the ground
floor take advantage of passive solar gain. The roof also plays host to panels
for solar hot water and photovoltaic for power generation. Power is collected
from the solar panels on the roof and is fed back into the grid.
Another consideration of
the brief was to create a family home with distinctive zones, providing privacy
when necessary and able to be divided more permanently in the future.
Three separate elements
make up the house, a pre-cast concrete ground floor that houses the entrance,
home office, house bathroom, laundry, garage and a double bedroom.
The ground floor is
linked via a concrete gallery to the timber “boatshed” at the rear of the
section. This hovers over the ground, capturing views of the water in front and
provides a distinct private space. Housing a second living room, out-door
covered room, two bedrooms, a bathroom and separate entrance, it can be
entirely closed off from the main house.
A second gabled
“boatshed” hovers over the solid concrete base and is accessed via timber
stairs. This houses the upstairs living room, dining room, kitchen, master
bedroom suite and a substantial covered deck.
View Original