LIVING ON THE EDGE

With a core brief of capturing the panoramic sea views, the steep slope of this site provided a number of challenges for architects Jonty Rout and Tim Dagg.

The first was to ensure great views from both the living spaces and the private areas of the house. The solution is a design based on interconnecting horizontal forms, with full-height windows. This means virtually every room in the house has access to the view.

"The house is built on two levels with a glazed, triple-height entry tower in the middle," says Dagg. "This tower is the link from the upper to the lower level. It also defines the intersection between these two forms."

While the abundance of glazing in all of the living areas opens the house up to the natural surroundings, it also attracts the sun.

To negate this effect, green-tinted glass was used for the windows. While the living areas have no window treatments, the bedrooms, ensuite and study were fitted with concealed, translucent roller blinds to provide both solar control and privacy.

In keeping with the house's simple forms, the palette of materials was kept unfussy and natural.

The house is clad in black-stained cedar weatherboards a timber the owners were always keen to use. Black Colorsteel roofing, concrete blocks and copper downpipes were also chosen for their unobtrusive look.

"One of our challenges was to ensure the detailing honoured the design's simple, pure forms," he says. "For example, finding a way to conceal the gutters took some time. We also wanted to design the windows so they slid like a door, and have the balustrades in front made from a simple pane of toughened glass on a steel frame."

This uncluttered feel carries through to the interior. In addition to full-height windows, all the main rooms have sloping ceilings of varying heights, but on the same pitch, says Dagg.

"These reflect the slope of the roof and were a way to stay honest to the simple form of the home's exterior."

Story by: Trendsideas