Perched atop a windswept sand dune that drops down to the ocean below, Cliff House by Auhaus Architecture is at peace with its rugged surroundings. Located in Ocean Grove, Victoria and designed in response to the harsh coastal conditions, the concrete structure defies the blustery winds and ocean spray that ravages the area while providing a welcoming respite for its inhabitants.
You’ll also enjoy:
Kat Von D’s $15 Million Victorian Mansion Is Fit For A Dark Gothic Romance
These Homes Have The Most Beautiful Interiors In Australia
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Artistically Luxurious Montecito Home Is Goop-Free
Replacing a condemned corroded house on the same site, Cliff House needed to withstand the weather conditions that accompany the coastal landscape and be for multi-generational living. Though the elements came with their unique challenges, they offered unparalleled natural beauty. The architecture reflects this, using robust, rustic materials in a way that opens the building up to its surrounds.
Two concrete masses at the front and rear of the site are linked by an elevated central courtyard. The materiality of Cliff House continues inside; split into three levels, the home is linked by a central atrium, grounded by a spiral staircase. Taking form largely in concrete, the interiors are softened by greybox timber which lends a sense of warmth to the home. The organic, sculptural curvature of the staircase signals the transition from public to private, while remaining cohesive with the angular lines of the exterior.
The split level structure and central courtyard facilitate multigenerational living with places for private respite as well as spaces to gather, with all bedroom oriented towards the ocean and spaced out across the three levels. The courtyard further acts as a way to access both views of the ocean to the south and natural sunlight from the north. The spiral staircase leads up to a communal open plan living space, with a kitchen, dining area, and a sunken carpeted lounge area.
Inside, the colour palette echoes both the materiality of the exterior as well as the oceanside. Shades of blue and green are employed throughout, from the rich jewel-toned furniture and navy joinery and cabinetry to the green carpet in the sunken living area and glazed blue-green tiles in the kitchen and shower area.
Landscape design by Bethany Williamson Landscape Architecture responds to the topography in a similarly dynamic fashion. Working to reconcile the concrete form with the sand dunes and coast around it, native grasses, groundcovers, and mounding shrubs sprout out from a rooftop garden, taking the edge of the rectilinear lines of the architecture. Plants were dually selected for their visual appeal as well as their ability to thrive in frontline coastal conditions.
Strong but considered, Cliff House is a sensitive response to the rugged landscape; designed to last for many lifetimes.
Words by T. Angel
