Wye River House

Negotiating the steep terrain is characteristic of houses in the area and contributes to something of a ‘surf coast vernacular’. That is, one-or-two storey dwellings that perch atop the hillside. A platform is made, upon which the dwelling is built. The platform defines interior and exterior horizontal space, under croft spaces, and enclosed ‘podium’ structures.

Similarly, the Wye River House also begins with a platform - in this case, a neat concrete block plinth that is embedded into the hillside upon which the rest of the dwelling is built. The house has two main characteristics; on the downhill side is a soaring glass façade which perches above the landscape (on top of the plinth) and on the uphill side, the building is experienced as a low-profile dwelling that carves out its own courtyard in the steep landscape.

As with many coastal projects, the panoramic views are not without strong winds in all directions, so an important component of this project was to provide protection and relief. The central courtyard has been conceived as an area away from the exposed conditions, walled on one side by two wings of the building and engulfed on the other by the steep terrain. [1] A large wing-wall and sliding gate to the south acts as a wind barrier, while the internally stepping floor plate allows for outside views in and through the building. [2]

This courtyard connects the hillside to the home’s interior. The intersection of the built platform and natural contour is evident in this protected space, and has the effect of drawing the landscape in. The creation of this exterior room means the project can more accurately be described as square shaped rather than L-shaped.

The interior is defined by a consistent palette of timber and glass, creating a restrained backdrop to the more significant natural environment beyond. [3] The upper floor is stepped, with circulation set at a higher level to extend and widen the view arc towards the ocean. Full height glazing lines areas of the facade, forming a curtain wall that maximises transparency and strengthens the connection to nature. [4]