Our clients came to us with an exquisite site on a hillside promontory with panoramic views to the sea. Their brief was to design an open living wing complete with outdoor room. Discretely attached to this the master bedroom and ensuite form the nucleus of the holiday house for visits as a couple. When their children or friends join them, the secondary attached wing provides a complimentary sanctuary, the intent is to exploit relaxed outdoor living as a protected threshold to the encircling sea. The house floats as a platform suspended above the steep site to minimise earthworks, ultimately to merge with regenerated bush.

A simple mono-wing roof forms the basic shelter creating the lofty outdoor space complete with wood fire. A tall green translucent wall captures the low rising sun and the silhouette of large existing trees. A diagonal projecting roof slicing through the main roof is designed to periscope the late afternoon sun in winter to the centre of the open plan Living area. Cedar cladding to naturally weather sets the house into its landscape for it to age gracefully.