The view from above

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A series of split levels and an emphasis on spacial fluidity have resulted in a home with uninterrupted views

A view of the kitchen area featuring polished furniture, interior design, living room, product design, table, gray — A view of the kitchen area featuring polished concrete flooring, white cabintery, stainless steel kitchen appliances, recessed lighting

A view of the staircase featuring stainless steel floor, flooring, handrail, house, interior design, loft, stairs, orange

A view of the living area featuring polished furniture, home, interior design, living room, room, table, wall, window, brown, orange

A view of the living area featuring polished interior design, living room, lobby, real estate, room, orange, brown

A view of the kitchen area featuring polished cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, under cabinet lighting, brown

A view of the staircase featuring stainless steel floor, flooring, handrail, interior design, stairs, structure, gray, brown

A view of the dining area featuring stained dining room, furniture, interior design, room, table, gray

Exterior view of the house - Exterior view glass, interior design, lighting, lobby, brown, orange

A view of the kitchen area featuring polished ceiling, countertop, interior design, kitchen, brown

A view of the kitchen area featuring polished apartment, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, interior design, kitchen, living room, real estate, room, table, orange

A view of the outdoor entertainment and pool architecture, backyard, estate, home, house, lighting, property, real estate, residential area, roof, swimming pool, window, blue, black

A view of the outdoor entertainment and pool architecture, daylighting, estate, facade, home, house, lighting, property, real estate, reflection, sky, swimming pool, window, blue

In this modern world where water views are highly coveted, beachside blocks are jealously guarded. Securing such a property is a major coup, but careful planning is needed to ensure you get optimum views without impinging on those of your neighbours something the owners of the property featured on these pages are well aware of.

Originally proposed as a three-storey home, the design had to be scaled back to two storeys after it became apparent it would affect the view from the rear property, says Jon Johannsen, principal of Architects Johannsen + Associates.

"The challenge then became one of fulfilling the clients' brief for separate children's and parents' areas, as well as maximising entertaining areas focusing on the beach, within the reduced structure."

The solution was to create a series of split levels six in all within the two-storey confines.

Exterior view of the house glass, interior design, lighting, lobby, brown, orange — Exterior view of the house

"The split levels had the benefit of creating a number of rooms, all of which could be designated as the owners wished. Also, it meant we could utilise the natural slope of the site, and minimise the amount of excavation," says Johannsen.

The next challenge was to then incorporate the view into as many of the rooms as possible. Again, the split levels provided the best solution, framing the views into a series of tableaux that could be viewed either singularly or in context.

"Maximising the view back through the house was paramount," says Johannsen. "The spatially fluid interior means that even out into the back yard the view is maintained. What is essentially a series of postcard views transforms into a panorama as you move from the rear of the property to the front."

Johannsen says a potential drawback of a split-level design is creating a home that is too compartmentalised. It is essential, therefore, that unifying materials are used to connect the spaces.

Elevation plan of the house angle, architecture, area, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, line, plan, product, product design, structure, white — Elevation plan of the house

"The concrete floor was a good way of creating a cohesive whole. It is also a robust and maintenance-free material, which is particularly important for a family that enjoys entertaining to the extent that this family does. For the interiors, the floor is polished, while the exterior surface is honed, creating a visual depth between the two areas, yet maintaining that all-important link."

Johannsen says, in answer to the original brief, the house succeeds in blurring the boundaries between the internal and external, with the spaces being flexible enough to entertain either small or large groups, while maintaining the desired separation between parents' and children's areas.