Architectural masterpiece sits high and proud in the cow paddock
This amazing house on a farm has views out all sides.
We're calling it a farmhouse, because it sits in a cow paddock on a 20ha dairy farm, but that's about all it has in common with your typical farmhouse.
The four-bedroom, 486 square-metre house, designed by Atelier Andy Carson of Sydney, is an architectural masterpiece that makes the most of its coastal location and stunning views overlooking Werri Beach in New South Wales.
Andy Carson says the design was inspired by the spectacular landscape. But instead of providing the same view throughout the house with wall-to-wall glass, the architect provided framed glimpses of what lies beyond.
It's a farmhouse, but not as we know it. Atelier Andy Carson designed this amazing house that sits on 20 acres above Werri Beach in New South Wales.
Carson even created a storm-viewing room that "pays tribute to the drama of extreme weather fronts creeping up from the ocean".
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Despite the stunning location, Carson says there were challenges. "The prominent exposed site required a response that dealt with the problems and opportunities of the site first and foremost. How best to respond to the dramatic south-facing hill devoid of trees, fully exposed to weather events from the nearby ocean? How to deal with the overwhelming 180-degree views? With the strong ocean, beach and lagoon views – how to not ignore the rest of the 150-acre property?"
The framed 'box' of this pavilion focuses the view from inside.
The solution was to create a protected courtyard house wrapped by three extruded pavilions that from an open 'U' shape to the north.
"This provides refuge from the bitter southern winds and storm fronts. Large retractable sliding doors allow fine tuning dependent on weather conditions."
Carson says the pavilions are heavily articulated, "morphing and twisting toward the view, the sun and protective opportunities". "The extreme ends of the two main pavilions focus like a telescope on the ocean and the farmlands respectively."
Cantlivered pavilions enhance the visual drama of the architecture up close, but the black cladding minimises the impact when viewed from the beach.
The architect also says the building itself creates a transition from the rear courtyard wall cut into the hill, right out to the ends of the volumes that reach out to the landscape with the hill falling away beneath. "Views are broken into highly considered picture frames that highlight and introduce new points of interest in the landscape."
"The courtyard (with fire pit/pool/garden) offers controlled views through the pavilions toward large swathes of ocean, offering a huge prospect from the most private areas."
Several measures help to minimise the visual impact of the large house from the beach. The form of the house, its dark black cladding and stone podium, and the way it is "cut" into the hill all minimise the visual impact when viewed from the opposite end of the beach.
Let the sun shine in - the house benefits from passive solar design.
Sustainability measures incorporated into the design include passive solar design, extra-thick highly insulated walls, double glazing, rain water harvesting (off grid), with UV filtration and treatment, on-site sewage treatment and supplementary solar power.
Architect: Atelier Andy Carson
Structural engineer: Murtagh Bond Structures Buro
Builder: Bellevarde Constructions
Landscape architect: Peter Glass & Associates
Even from the sheltered courtyard there are framed views through the house.
All the better to watch the weather - the architect provided a 'storm viewing room' so the owners can watch the weather fronts coming in off the ocean.
There are plenty of spaces in the 486 square-metre home to simply sit and soak up the view.
There's an easy, relaxed flow between all the living spaces.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open up to private decks.
Even the bathroom, which appropriately has a trough basin, maximises the spectacular outlook.
Viewed from above, the house does not appear so prominent.
- Homed
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