Set on top of a limestone cliff, this stunning home soaks up its panoramic views of South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. Replacing a shack that has been in the family for generations, the new home is the perfect place to continue a tradition of entertaining large gatherings of friends and family...
The new design by Mountford Williamson Architecture is a similar size to the original shack, but boy does it do a better job of embracing the site. With a deck stretching its entire length to make the most of those views and open the living areas to the outdoors, the new home is the consummate entertainer.
The long, thin design embraces the view and means living spaces can open effortlessly to the outdoors. A covered deck spanning the entire width of the home encourages you outside and protects you from the prevailing winds.
Floor to ceiling glazing means most rooms can enjoy uninterrupted views. Clerestory windows bring additional light in and frame the bright blue sky, giving a unique sense of loft and space to the home. Facing north, this glazing encourages the winter sun deep into the home while blocking the higher-angled summer sun, for passive heating and cooling. Combined with the extensive use of thermal mass inside (rammed earth walls, polished concrete floors), the home is able to moderate its temperature year-round and minimise the need for additional heating and cooling.
It was essential to use robust materials to withstand the lashings of the coast, but the architect was also conscious of fitting into the surroundings. Rammed earth helps the home nestle into the limestone cliffs. From some spaces, the rammed earth and polished concrete feel like the home has been carved from the cliffs. The use of timber softens and screes the home.
By respecting the size, scale and materials of the original shack, the architects have created "a home that sits comfortably among the dunes and other shacks dotted along the coastline." This family can happily continue the tradition of entertaining and sharing their spectacular site with large groups of friends and family.
