Mission possible

Designers are often asked to achieve the impossible, or so it can seem. This project was no exception. Although the site had its limitations, the owners wanted a decent-sized family home with many outdoor living features, including a flat lawn and swimming pool.

They also wanted to make the most of a sea view, which could only be enjoyed from higher up, says architectural designer Trevor Reitsma of Reitsma & Associates.

"Before work started, the owners hired a cherry picker and we could see just how great the views would be from the roof. For this reason, all the main living areas needed to be elevated and we decided to add a rooftop terrace."

Reitsma says 8m height restrictions and a 4.5m slope from the front to the back of the site added to the challenge.

"To avoid the need to walk up too many stairs from the entry, we decided to let the vehicles do the work by ferrying the owners as far up the site as possible. Consequently, the garage is at the top of the slope, and there are just a few stairs up to the living area."

Reitsma says designing a bunker-style split-level house ensured there was enough space for two storeys.

"The house is effectively a concrete sandwich with glass infills. Using a concrete construction provided thin sections that enabled us to keep within the 8m height limit."

On the main level, a large, open-plan family living area is fully open to an expansive terrace with a deep overhang. Stacking glass doors can be pulled around two sides of the terrace in inclement weather. All the living areas also overlook a suspended concrete swimming pool.

"The owners were adamant the pool needed to be on the same level as the main living area," says Reitsma. "Because it is suspended, there is space beneath for pool equipment."

The master bedroom also overlooks the pool, thanks to the split-level layout.

"There are four stairs up to the master suite," says the designer. "It is almost like a theatre the elevated position makes it that much easier to see what's happening on the stage, in this case, the outdoor living area. It also allowed us to borrow the views from the terrace. From the master bedroom, there is a view right across the terrace to the ocean."

Internal windows to the void ensure there is plenty of natural light in both the master bedroom and the entry.

There is also plenty of cross ventilation throughout the house, which helps limit the need for air conditioning.

On the lower level, there is a study, which can double as a guest suite, and two children's bedrooms and a play room that open to an elevated flat lawn fronting the street.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Scott Burrows