The Guringai
New South Wales
Accessible by boat only, Enclave House is located within the Pittwater waterway, framed by tidal saltwater below and weathered sandstone ridgelines beyond. Replacing a deteriorated foreshore shack, the house is conceived as a robust and restrained dwelling, carefully embedded within a modest, tightly knit, waterside settlement.
Anchored into an existing clearing, a platform is embedded into the slope to establish the primary organising datum, providing level ground on the steep site. Cooler, sheltered spaces are burrowed under, while above, lightweight roofs hover over a series of rooms arranged around a generously covered courtyard, which functions as the main living space.
Living is distributed across the platform, encouraging movement, shared occupation and seasonal adaptability. Guided by necessity and shaped by its remote access, the architecture prioritises resilience and modesty, supporting a close relationship to place, supporting a way of living connected to landscape, climate and time.
Our home shapes how we live—calmly, sustainably, and deeply connected to the land. It immerses us in the outdoors year-round, allowing us to adapt our living to the seasonal shifts of the environment.
Living in sync with nature—foraging, fishing, growing food, cooking over an open fire—deepens our relationship with this place. The kids explore freely between home and the marine and bush landscapes, while generous spaces for sitting, cooking, and gathering bring family, friends, and community together.
The design gives us freedom: to live connected and open to nature. We feel thoroughly nurtured here.