Queenscliff House
This accomplished house acts as an optical instrument.
It presents and juxtaposes a series of devices that frame views beyond the abutting foreshore toward the entrance of the bay. A significant promenade through the house takes you from the street, along a gently stepped path, to the entry stair, where you are sufficiently elevated to appreciate the view as you arrive at the uppermost level.
The experience on entry is private and cocooned from the exterior. Views expand and are focussed on the horizon of the ocean to the south. Materiality and adjacencies amplify the careful choreography with fine timber detailing, woven wicker and Calacatta marble in the kitchen.
A challenge for Victorian coastal houses is to reconcile the southern views with northern solar orientation. In this instance, a courtyard is introduced to gain northern aspect to the living spaces and to capture the afternoon sun within an environment shielded from strong southerly winds.
The principal bedroom is oriented south, stealing ocean views through the glazed main living pavilion and across the courtyard. Spotted Gum is used in a variety of applications. The Australian hardwood is detailed as cladding, decking, screens and sunshades and provides a uniform quality and colour to the exterior shell.
- Traditional Custodians Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation
- Location Queenscliff, Victoria
- Project Duration 2005 – 2010
- Procurement Private Commission
- Floor Levels 3
- Site Area 863 sqm
- Footprint 305 sqm
- Floor Area 665 sqm
- Sustainability 6 Star (Residential)
- Selected Awards
- Best Residential Interior, Intergrain Timber Vision Awards 2011
- Winner of Residential Architecture - Constructed, Melbourne Design Awards 2011
A raft of subtleties interweaves our occupation of the coastal edge. The integration of building and environment is pivotal to the successful inhabitation of this precious landscape.
The courtyard and deck harness the northern aspect to the living spaces and capture afternoon sun, while blocking strong southerly breezes.
Vogue Living, March/April 2012
The ‘timber hedge’ that greets the visitor on arrival to the house is at once dense and permeable, carefully crafted, and softly weathering.
...Queenscliff Residence was to us a model example of how complementary materials can be combined to create harmony.
Jury Citation – Intergrain Timber Vision Awards
The experience on entry is private and cocooned from the exterior. Once above, the views expand and are focussed on the horizon of the ocean to the south.
