The exposed clifftop position and expansive sea views made for a desirable property for its new ocean-loving owners. However, the spatial layout of the existing dwelling neglected to meet their needs and the surrounding landscape was tired with dilapidated features.Architect Bruce Stafford explains the initial site visit revealed the home’s poor circulation with inaccessible tight, dark interiors. However, the unique setting and existing architectural elements offered the opportunity to create a remarkable home perched on the cliff.
The Story Behind The Design
“The original design of the double-height volume living room was beautifully proportioned and had a lovely rhythm of columns,” explains Bruce of the architecture that appeared to be inspired by the early work of Richard Meier.“We decided to work with and enhance the original aesthetic. For me, it talked about Australian coastal architecture.” With a vision to reinforce a sophisticated coastal aesthetic, the additions and alterations were deliberately designed using the same weatherboard materials and approach so it is difficult to distinguish between what is old and what is new.
The entrance and the interiors of the project were key areas that required manipulation. “It was a long, narrow L-shaped house with the circulation positioned at the rear,” explains Bruce. “The interiors were dark and narrow, and required better circulation flow.”The brief focused on widening the interiors, reorganising the upstairs bedroom arrangement and reviewing the aesthetic to modernise it from its original form. Together with Hare + Klein, the convoluted circulation flow was corrected with a series of linked semi-open plan spaces. “This required a considered and cohesive palette of finishes that was neutral but not bland. Layers of texture and colour in soft greys, off whites and rich timbers reflect the steep cliffs below,” says design associate Dimity Chitty of Hare + Klein.
We decided to work with and enhance the original aesthetic. For me, it talked about Australian coastal architecture. Bruce Stafford
A key statement in the dining and living areas is the incorporation of the pre-existing European oak parquetry floor that was originally imported from an old French château, which Dimity says was too beautiful to discard. “It had been mistreated and the builder was confident we could breathe new life into it.”Bordering the oak parquetry and underpinning the interior palette is the Cocullo Limestone pavers. “The Cocullo has an extraordinary subtle variation of beautiful neutrals that tied everything warm & cool together,” explains Dimity. “It set the tone for the understated yet sophisticated coastal home. We also specified it in a brushed finish; the subtle undulations are divine underfoot.”
Signature Element
While challenging to create a warm and comfortable space, the vast double-height volume living room created a distinctive architectural feature of the home. “It’s not often that we get to work with such high ceilings”, says Bruce. “It offered the opportunity to create a second story for an open study so you can look over the water.”
The Cocullo extends externally for a seamless transition into the property’s outdoor spaces designed by Secret Gardens. Here, the layout encourages use during favourable weather and then almost disappears when being viewed from within the home to avoid impeding the coastal outdoor. This was a successful exercise in the art of restraint explains landscape architect Matt Cantwell.“It’s easy to complicate things. The garden was key, but we recognised that this was one instance where the house needed to stand proud on the clifftop, so this time our approach was very much less is more”, he says.
"The garden was key, but we recognised that this was one instance where the house needed to stand proud on the clifftop, so this time our approach was very much less is more." Matt Cantwell
