New South Wales
The site was a never built upon piece of land situated beachfront at Culburra. The landscape is windswept, with low native foliage with a large setback to the beach consisting of planted sand dunes.
The shapes of the trees are bent over and distorted by constant winds along the coast. The design of the house responds to this with a roof shape that gracefully ascends and flattens towards the beach. It is a house that becomes a safe retreat and a place of serenity amidst the storm.
The landscape design is by Jane Irwin Landscape Architects.
As artists and creative people, we find Culburra Beach House inspiring. In whichever direction you look there is always something to engage the eye, from the ever-present blackbutt used throughout, to the use of voids to create size and space, or the wonderful juxtaposition of the aluminum cladding against Jane Irwin’s luxuriant natural landscaping. It is a place where we can enjoy the astonishing beauty of this unique coastal position and yet feel safe and warm when the weather becomes brutal. Quite simply Culburra Beach House is a wonderful place to be creative.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
