the Bahtabah clan of the Awabakal people
New South Wales
Regional
Swansea Heads House is a new home with a great view. Exposed to the southerly winds, the robust form draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape while addressing the harsh coastal conditions.
Overlooking Crabbs Beach, a 300m-long, curving east-facing sand and cobble beach with a weathered headland and extensive rock platforms that showcase the area's unique geological formation. These distinct layered seams of the landscape are reflected in the design through the use of horizontal datums, material selection and colour.
Guided by the simple principles of prospect and refuge, the solution to the site's condition involves the arrangement of two distinct pavilions enclosing a sheltered courtyard garden.
In its inaugural year, it is only fitting that the David Boyle Award is given to a tactile, innovative and beautiful home which entices you to stay and makes you rethink the rules of housing. Â
Facing east the house presents itself to the street as a portrait of a house. However, familiar forms and proportions soon stop and the delight begins. In lieu of a front veranda or balcony full height windows span the length of the building and propel daily life of the inhabitants onto the street. Internally a split living level and built in furniture provide privacy without the need for curtains or walls impeding the view to Swansea Beach. Â
The play between private and the interaction with public is controlled throughout the house. A bench seat is integrated into the street façade offering a perfect place for a morning cuppa and a casual neighbourly chat; a subterranean sauna provides a relief from the overwhelming sea view; and, the main bedroom is placed across the large central courtyard and at the furthest point away from the view, delivering a garden sanctuary. Every decision is masterful and executed to perfection. Â
Swansea Heads House is aptly named. It is a house embedded in this place; the material palette beautifully references the coastal cliffs and the exquisite details belie the robustness required of a house in such an exposed location.Â
Often interiors are an additional scope overlay of finely chosen furniture once a house is designed. At Swansea House the interiors help define architecture and spatial qualities. The interior, the external architecture and the courtyard are integral to the design and one – strengthened visually by a limited palette of materials utilised both internally and externally.Â
The kitchen and dining areas have full height sliding timber doors that open directly to the courtyard, with an elevated operable walkway connecting the front and rear pavilions along the courtyard edge.  Materials of masonry and glass are used to blur the boundary between external and internal.Â
An integrated banquette seating in the living room cannot be seen from the street, despite the full height easterly facing glass façade.  The main living, kitchen and dining room have integrated joinery and a sunken kitchen at entry level, providing privacy and passive surveillance over the street and towards the view.Â