Flip side
“I LIKE THE HUMILITY AND HONESTY OF THE HOUSE, PARTICULARLY FROM THE STREET.”
adeleine Blanchfield honoured this Crescent Head site with a home embracing all the elements of the quintessential Australian beach lifestyle: sun, views and an enviable location. My clients were the parents of The site is steep and falls away from the street, which lent itself to creating quite a humble, single-level dwelling. We treated the apartment underneath as part of a stone base for the building which allowed us to ground the house and minimise the appearance of bulk by partially burying the lower level. The house has very large open spans in the living areas. The spans, site steepness and ground conditions required complex engineering. We also wanted to ensure that when there were no visitors the house felt comfortable for two people. Sliding panels in the entry area allow the house to function either as one home or as two separate dwellings. I like the humility and honesty of the house, particularly from the street. The entry skylight and the glazed front door create a welcoming, though understated, address. A sense of light and openness is experienced straight away. One feature that was a challenge to execute but became one of my favourite things is the vaulted timber ceiling that folds out from the entry area. It creates a sense of arrival and of shedding the outside world rather like entering a private but open and joyful cocoon. There is a sense of calmness inside that’s hard to explain but is palpable. The finishes and furniture are simple and muted. Natural timber ceilings, tan leather and textured fabrics embrace the beautiful ocean and mountain views without being stereotypically nautical. Crescent Head is a stunning locale with mountains to one side and the beach to the other. It is relaxed, genuine and has a strong community. As well as the natural beauty, the change of pace when you arrive in the town is one of its main attractions.
