ande bunbury architects

The small house that feels big. This beach house on a clifftop site has been designed to sit within the slope and the tree canopy. It is scarcely visible from the adjoining beach. The house has a tiny footprint and has been designed with sustainability principles in mind. Despite being only 120m2 it can comfortably accommodate just the single occupant or sleep twelve. A double bed-sized daybed off the hallway has a wall of bookshelves and creates a cosy breakout space, extra accommodation, and a great play space for children. The building forms angle and rotate to move around the existing trees on site. A delightful play with perspective and perception occurs as one moves through the home. For example the front of the house looks large upon approach, but is intimate as you move through it; the central north-facing deck has a wall that is almost half height, giving a sense of containment and protection but allowing distant views; and the Living room creates a tardis-like effect, seeming cosy and intimate yet accommodating the entire extended family clan comfortably. Varying ceiling heights in the house create intimacy, open up views and provide space for a hidden rooftop viewing deck. And around the house a number of other outdoor rooms have been created: an east terrace nestled into the hill, a north entertaining deck, a private southern deck with space for 1 or 2, and a beautifully sculpted firepit atop the hill. The homeowners adore the site's snug setting, nestled with access to captivating ocean views. Being passionate about boating, they revel in observing the passing yachts. They note how different parts of the house come alive at various times of the year. Throughout the seasons, the house seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, enabling them to enjoy an extended living experience. A favorite aspect for the owners is the meticulous attention given to the cabinetry, including the provision of space for eskies and boxes beneath the kitchen island counter. The architect's careful consideration of the functionality of a vacation home has left a lasting impression. These subtle yet thoughtful touches significantly enhance the comfort of staying in the house, despite its compact size. No-one wants to spend their holiday doing maintenance so the house has been designed to be extremely low maintenance, especially the exterior that has to cope with the harsh coastal environment. Finishes have been selected for extreme durability such as the zinc wall cladding with a 60 year+ lifespan, durable Australian hardwood timber providing a high fire rating and the composite timber decking is rot-free. All that is required is to sit back and relax and enjoy the holiday.