Positioned on the ridge of an elevated coastal terrain in Ocean Shores, a site with long reaching sea views is where a young couple with kids settles to build their home. The brief of the house is to take advantage of the prospects of the site, while accommodating a modest and functional program for the family. The site falls sharply towards the rear covered with wild vegetation, while backing onto a busy motorway. In response to this inherent condition, the house is situated near the top of the site to retain existing vegetation while opening up onto the quieter suburban street.
A solid acoustic back wall is designed to reduce noise impact; a lofty semi-outdoor volume invites light from above to employ passive stack ventilation strategies. On a daily basis, the occupant will be made aware of the changing environmental conditions. This space forms an integral part of the plan, serving multiple functions such as circulation, dining, laundry and bathhouse. The plan further extends out to connect with the three primary aspects of the physical site, an ocean view, a lighthouse view and a mountaintop view.
An active street-fronting lawn offers direct connection to the street, and allows seamless transitions from the interior to the exterior of a North East ocean view. A singular linear building form is designed with an escalating roofline towards the South East, incorporating an upper level breakout/reading space affording a glimpse of the Byron Bay Lighthouse. At the opposite end of the house, the partial clearing of trees beyond the site frames a view to Mount Chincogan to the West.
The pre-finished fiber cement exterior panels provide a neutral textural palette, achieving a durable low maintenance building enclosure. In contrast, the tactility of the strandboard gives warmth and texture to the interior. Materials are primarily used in their honest raw state, adding to the daily pleasures of living in the house.
Material Used:
1. Cemintel – FacadeCladding – Barestone Range
2. Ampelite – Skylight Roofing – LexanTwinPolycarbSheeting
3. AWS – Windows & Doors – Magnum Designer Series
4. Laminex – InteriorLining – OSB
5. BoralTimber – Decking – Tallowood
