Outcrop House

Northern Beaches, NSW

 

Located on the coastline of Sydney’s northern beaches, this house sits on an escarpment edge of exposed sandstone, probably a traditional walking edge for indigenous people for both access and outlook, with an element of danger and freedom.

 

The site faces south (away from the sun) adjacent to a drainage vein that connects the land both physically and emotively with the beach below.

 

The roof canopy and primary structure create one double height room, capturing limited sun through high level northern windows, the whole south facing roof plane is translucent triple-skin polycarbonate screened below by wave-like curved plywood ceiling panels that allow controlled vertical light to enter the room, producing a constantly changing environment of unexpected light.

 

Bedrooms and intimate sitting spaces are located in a ‘cliff’ within. A sheltered northern courtyard gives winter comfort. A single powerful aperture to the view is made available through a series of ‘stage sets’ with altering frames that allow for changing surroundings to be captured and framed as one progresses through the house with a primary focal point that looks beyond the living space and out over the beach.

 

The primary room is the house space, all other spaces are secondary.