Robertson, 2017 | Gundungurra & Wodi Wodi Country
A Southern Highlands pavilion home sits on an escarpment platform sheltered by the Yarrawa Brush to the west and looking out over Kangaroo valley towards the coast.
The building in two parts is designed to resonate with the beauty of the Australian landscape. The property is a unique and iconic one. It sits high on the escarpment with easterly views towards the ocean, offering a powerful vista across the foreground, a valley landscape - ever changing in colour as the sun rises and falls, and with many moods created by the shifting weather patterns.
The west of the site is formed by a dramatic hillside of untouched rainforest ‘Yarrawa Brush’ with a number of unique species of flora and fauna. This landscape wall to the west forms a delightful protected setting and the building was sited to make the connection between the rainforest and the view.
Two pavilions create an external courtyard around the knoll, a manicured man-enhanced landscape featuring a deciduous native tree - a welcoming entry for visitors, and a place to unwind, and be protected from the wind.
Anchored by a wide protective services/entrance gallery along its western facade, in the main building all internal spaces open to the east taking in the breathtaking view while highlight glazing brings in the beautiful light filtered through the rainforest behind.
A simple palette of appropriately robust materials are used - fieldstone from the site, rough sawn timber cladding, fibre cement sheet, custom hardwood window joinery, composite timber and steel beam with personal accents showing the owners love of mid century design.
Project team
Brent Dunn, Katharina Hendel, Tom Gray
Builder _ Bricon Projects
Engineering _ Geoffrey Pryke
Joinery _ Advanced Kitchens & Forrest Furniture
Windows & Doors _ Acacia
Photography _ Shantanu Starick & Takt Studio