A sweeping home designed to mimic the lines of a yacht's sail
This unusual home on the Western Australian coast fits in perfectly with its location, with the sweeping curve of the roof seeming to mimic the lines of a boat's sail.
Architects Sally and Clinton Matthews were briefed by owner Kareena to design a home that had an easy, holiday feel and which made the most of the glorious views. The task of obtaining views from all the bedrooms and living areas presented a challenge for the architects, but through a careful process of designing and redesigning, and with input from Kareena, the desired outcome was finally achieved. The house has been built with environmental sustainability in mind. It features natural heating from the sun in winter and natural cooling from the sea breeze in summer. The unfussy design of the home allows for easy circulation of breezes. The house is replete with the leisure areas so important to the owners. Kareena loves the easy-living feel of the lounge and dining areas, and there is a spacious outdoor deck with a barbecue for alfresco entertaining. The interior floors are of beautiful polished Tasmanian oak. Warm downlights help to create a cosy atmosphere, as does a central fireplace. Sally and Clinton have achieved a clear separation between the adults' and children's areas in the home and Kareena really appreciates the fact that the adults have their own 'hideaway'. The huge aluminium and laminated safety glass windows – particularly those on the corners – are truly a feature unto themselves. The striking front door is also fashioned from aluminium and glass. Neat square brick paving provides a buffer zone between the house, the lawn and beyond that, the sea. Kareena is thrilled with the relative ease with which the project was completed. "The architects listened and produced a plan that accommodated all of our requirements," she says. Clinton Matthews What were you trying to achieve with your design of this dwelling? An environmentally friendly and sustainable design that considers natural light and natural breezes. The curved nature of the plan fits within the coastal environment and accentuates a holiday feel. What were some of the challenges you encountered during the design process and how did you resolve them? A big challenge was obtaining views to the ocean from all bedrooms and living areas. This was achieved through carefully considered design and a persistent process of re-design until this criterion was met. Which part of the design do you think works particularly well? The house has natural warming from the sun in winter, natural cooling from the sea breeze in summer, and the overall planning allowing for views and uncomplicated circulation. Is there anything you would have done differently in retrospect? We would like to have explored some alternative materials, but unfortunately these were beyond the budget. Why did you choose to take on this project? The clients were enthusiastic about achieving an individual and different home, and their excitement and confidence in us as an architectural practice made it impossible to refuse. Kareena What was your vision for this project? I wanted a relaxing, easy-care home that would accommodate friends and family, and I wanted to maximise the views. Did you have much input into the design? Yes. We were really clear about what we wanted from the design, so we worked closely with Sally and Clinton to get our desired result. Which rooms, features or aspects of the new house do you love, and why? We love the informality of the lounge and dining area; we appreciate the warmth of the fireplace in wintertime and enjoy the separation of children’s and adults' sleeping areas. Is there anything you would change about the process if you were to go through it again? No, it was so easy! We were pretty clear about what we wanted and that made the process relatively trouble free.
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