Intent was to create a strong sense of escape to the coastal bushland, for a client looking for spatial reprieve from their small dwelling and a timber dwelling. The challenge was its location in a bushfire prone, suburban sub-division. Simple principles of defence against cold ocean winds and hot westerly sun, maximising north light and tightly planned circulation, led to the idea of an arm of enveloping the private space within, wrapping itself around as protection against the prevailing conditions.

© Nic Granleese

Architects: Irons McDuff Architecture

Location: Aireys Inlet, Australia

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Nic Granleese

© Nic Granleese

Text description provided by the architects. Intent was to create a strong sense of escape to the coastal bushland, for a client looking for spatial reprieve from their small dwelling and a timber dwelling. The challenge was its location in a bushfire prone, suburban sub-division. Simple principles of defence against cold ocean winds and hot westerly sun, maximising north light and tightly planned circulation, led to the idea of an arm of enveloping the private space within, wrapping itself around as protection against the prevailing conditions.
© Nic Granleese

As the house descends into the site, its tight skin of bushfire resistant timber with limited openings, expands inviting the native landscape and sunlight into the spaces. Zoned internal space...