Weather sensitive shutters frame this Bilgola Beach home

Framing the upper floor of this residence on Sydney’s Bilgola Beach are shutters that fold upwards to expose the living spaces to fresh air and sea views, sensitive to the whims of nature.

The first project completed in Australia by Seattle-based firm Olson Kundig, Situated around 35 kilometres north of Sydney’s central business district, the 873-square-metre house nestles into sand dunes overlooking the beach and the ocean.

GALLERY  

The design responds to its setting on a headland that is exposed to harsh sunlight, high winds and flooding.

The structure is raised above the dunes on concrete piles that allow water to pass underneath, while the retractable window screens allow the house to be sealed off in inclement weather.

“The house attempts to address the varied climatic conditions of Australia in the best way, allowing the owners to open or close it to the beachfront as the weather changes,” said architect Tom Kundig.

A driveway that passes between palm trees and Norfolk pines leads towards an entrance set into a robust, board-marked concrete perimeter wall.

The entrance gate connects to a staircase leading between the house’s main bedroom wing and guest wing. The concrete surfaces of these blocks reference the tone of the local sand and help the building to blend in with its natural setting.

A glazed front door provides a view straight through the building toward the ocean. The entrance leads directly into an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area lined with glazing on three sides.

Sliding doors can be retracted to connect this space with the garden. On the opposite side, sliding glazed panels lining an interior courtyard and pool allow cooling breezes to naturally ventilate the interior.

A separate guest wing on the main level of the house accommodates four bedrooms, along with a children’s playroom and a study.

The entirety of the upper level is occupied by the main bedroom suite, which includes a walk-in wardrobe, a reading room, and a bathroom connected to a large balcony.

Sliding doors lining the reading room, bedroom and bathroom can be opened to connect these spaces with the outdoors, while a bridge leads from the reading area to a terrace overlooking the beach.

The folding slatted screens that provide solar shading to the glazed elevations can be opened using a patented hinge system developed in-house by engineer Phil Turner.

The house’s interior features a simple palette of pale timber and dark cabinetry, alongside textural concrete walls and floors. Externally, the concrete and blackened metal is softened by planting, including green roofs and a bamboo garden.

“My hope is that the home will grow and evolve as it responds to all the different environmental and climatic conditions of the site, hopefully blending into the headlands and becoming more integrated with Bilgola Beach over time,” Kundig added.

Images by Rory Gardiner via Dezeen

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