Arakwal Bumberlin people of the Bundjalung Nation
NSW
Coupling a young family’s lifestyle aspirations with the tidal estuary and village of Brunswick Heads, High Tide House resists coastal trends, presenting a highly crafted, alternative home deeply connected to its locality.
On a small flood prone site the design creatively negotiates constraints by utilising a playful treehouse arrangement where spaces are defined by verticality, voids & adjacencies. Basement spaces are flexible and robust, ready for kids charging in off the creek, and capable of withstanding potential flooding events, while upper levels find calmness and prospect amongst the canopy. Comprising locally sourced certified hardwood, this carefully crafted home consciously engages with its environment and the built legacy of Brunswick Heads, nurturing relationship with place.
Combining structural rigour with expressive craftsmanship, High Tide House condenses the needs of a young family into a compact, adventurous home, closely in tune with its environment and the estuary foreshore of Durrumbil/Brunswick River.
“The design has had an instant, and growing positive impact on our family of 4 since moving in. It continues to bring joy to all of us, by bringing inside the natural beauty of Brunswick Heads. We feel more connected to the river out front, and the natural surroundings. We can live very comfortably inside the house, on the deck overlooking the beautiful Simpsons Creek, or just watching our children play outside. No matter where you are inside or out, there always seems to be something new to admire, or appreciate from a new perspective.” Mark Bathie & Melinda Rekdahl
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.
