• Location
    Flinders, VIC
  • Status
    Complete
  • Type
    Residential
  • Size
    490sqm
  • Internal Area
    230sqm
  • Team
    Rob Kennon, Jack Leishman, Emlyn Olaver
  • Collaborators
    RJ & SM Partnership, Robyn Barlow Design - Landscape Architect, Panoramic Pools, KWA Building Permits and Inspections, Perrett Simpson Stanton
  • Photographer
    Derek Swalwell
  • Awards
    AIA Victoria Architecture Awards - Bluff House (Commendation)
  • Publications
    Bluff House by Rob Kennon Architects, Bluff House
  • Tags
    Housing, Coastal, Landscape

Cutting through the centre of the site is the meeting point of two geologies, resulting in a land slip affected zone that cannot be built on. The design of this beach house hovers above the fault line, founded on deep bored piers that anchor the house into the escarpment [1]. An occupied basement is embedded into the terrain, submerged three quarters of its height into the ground. The exposed quarter allows for natural light, views and ventilation. This basement acts like a large occupied footing, anchoring the house deep into the escarpment. Above, two parallel plates cantilever off the reinforced blockwork structure to extend the building out over the land slip terrain, maximising views to the coastline and the panorama of the ocean.

[1] The design of this beach house hovers above the fault line, founded on deep bored piers that anchor the house into the escarpment. The pallet of materials is recessive in the landscape; black-stained spotted gum, full height glazing and blacked steel
An occupied basement is embedded into the terrain, submerged three quarters of its height into the ground. The exposed quarter allows for natural light, views and ventilation. This basement acts like a large occupied footing, anchoring the house deep into the escarpment
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[5] A continuous natural, volcanic stone tile has been laid over the entire upper floor to further reinforce the sense of living on a platform
[3] The two parallel plates cantilever off the reinforced blockwork structure to extend the building out over the land slip terrain, maximising views to the coastline and the panorama of the ocean
[2] The lightweight steel structure that floats above the landscape is juxtaposed by the heavy construction below that is embedded in the earth, inviting a feeling of calmness and stability. A sense of intimacy and softness is created through the careful modulation of natural light and shadow
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[4] An open living area perched on the east separates the two main bedroom zones and opens onto dual outdoor living environments to the north and west

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