Headland House

Headland House stands on the north east facing shale cliffs of Mona Vale Headland. The site and headland slope away to the south-west, to the swell formed hollow of Basin Beach. A narrow cul-de-sac separates the house from the cliffs, at the end of which is a popular public reserve. On such an exposed promontory shelter is vital. Evoking the act of setting up on the beach, with just a spread of towels to define the temporary boundaries of place and an umbrella as shading canopy, the design seeks to explore containment and provide shelter lightly: a relaxed, pellucid enclosure. The warm, articulated character of the dwelling is carefully composed by the clarity of detailing, a palette of tactile natural materials and the wilful manipulation of light. The character of the house reads as a crafted container within the streetscape, inviting further investigation. Generous side setbacks provide public vistas to views of the Basin from the street, frequented by walkers heading to the reserve. Environmental strategies include a form derived from climatic and solar passive principles, carefully positioned window, door and screen systems providing user operability of light and cross ventilation, solar and water harvesting and low energy systems throughout.

The client was extensively engaged with the design process, a collaborative approach which ensured an outcome where the client, through continued personal investment, achieved a deep sense of ownership of the completed building. The building aspires to beauty, openness and place making to provide a vessel in which a family can grow. It is a dwelling where the inhabitants can feel at home, interact as a family, engage with the view and streetscape, and yet not feel exposed. By means of the central stairwell and split levels, daylight is invited into the central places of gathering.

Responding to both outlook and exposure, the boundary wall contained plan and low slung split floor section carefully respond to the difficult South-Western orientation and topography. The angled, tapered roof scoops Northern light deep into the building through the anchor of the central staircase and deflects the north-easterlies that wrap over the cliffs throughout summer. The layered form of local sandstone, fibre cement sheet, steel and glass, overlaid by white mahogany timber detailing, is framed by side walls and opens to ocean vistas on the south-west and north-east. The roof sits lightly, providing transparency and accentuating the topography. Openness, lightness and transparency are core characteristics of the design, achieved by means of a site welded steel frame. Site welding provided fixed joints, eliminating the need for extensive and intrusive bracing. Crisp, tectonic steel detailing was carried through to the internal and external balustrades. The canopy roof, which floats lightly above walls of the house, was only possible using a steel structure. The extreme exposure of the site, located on headland cliffs, within 50 metres of breaking surf, provided challenges to the durability of any material. This issue was addressed by use of an industrial coating system typically used for the protection of steel in aggressive environments such as wharf super-structures and ship loaders, bridges. The adaptability and strength of steel made it the appropriate material to achieve the design intent.

The brief sought a modern timber beach house, elegant and simple, capturing the views, integrating with the garden and providing a sense of connection between levels. The split-level plan takes advantage of the topography to provide expansive views to the North and South, while retaining connection between levels and the garden. Slide away banks of glazed doors and timber screens provide owner operability. The house has a simple street presence with a carefully proportioned façade that is compatible in scale and form to neighbouring dwellings. The pervading openness and transparency ensures a proximity and connection with the landscape.

The house is a testament to the dedicated craftsmen who built it. The design called for minimal tolerances, requiring a high level of skill, craftsmanship and cooperation between trades. An elemental, coastal garden that is integral to the architecture will increasingly complement the design as it matures.