Bronte House by Rolf Ockert. Architect.

ByJon Dykstra Houses

Bronte House by Rolf Ockert. Architect.

Architect: Rolf Ockert. Architect.
Photographer: Sharrin Rees

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Rear exterior view of the house showcasing its balconies and a pool deck complemented with a daybed.
Rear exterior view of the house showcasing its balconies and a pool deck complemented with a daybed.
The home's entrance has a stone walkway framed with lush plants.
The home’s entrance has a stone walkway framed with lush plants.
A huge framed artwork adorns the home's entry.
A huge framed artwork adorns the home’s entry.
The entry has sweeping views of the living space and the ocean beyond.
The entry has sweeping views of the living space and the ocean beyond.
The kitchen features a center island integrated with an eating counter.
The kitchen features a center island integrated with an eating counter.
Vibrant orange chairs and pillows add a pop of color to the living room.
Vibrant orange chairs and pillows add a pop of color to the living room.
A pocket door next to the fireplace reveals the home office.
A pocket door next to the fireplace reveals the home office.
This entryway leads to a dining area illuminated with warm lamps.
This entryway leads to a dining area illuminated with warm lamps.
A folding glass door extends the primary suite onto the pool deck.
A folding glass door extends the primary suite onto the pool deck.
The primary bedroom has a platform bed and wood-paneled accent wall mounted with floating nightstands.
The primary bedroom has a platform bed and wood-paneled accent wall mounted with floating nightstands.
Spacious primary bathroom with a deep soaking tub and a walk-in shower that opens to a garden.
Spacious primary bathroom with a deep soaking tub and a walk-in shower that opens to a garden.
The primary bathroom includes his and her sink vanities flanking a built-in bench.
The primary bathroom includes his and her sink vanities flanking a built-in bench.
A towering wood slat fence provides privacy to the garden.
A towering wood slat fence provides privacy to the garden.
The house also features an infinity pool that looks out at the ocean.
The house also features an infinity pool that looks out at the ocean.
Stone decking and a mini garden border the infinity pool.
Stone decking and a mini garden border the infinity pool.

The client approached us to create the house of their dreams on a site perched high over the Pacific Ocean, a home that was to make them feel like being on holiday every day. While the view was fantastic the site was very small and suffocated by overbearing neighbouring dwellings.

The finished house, though, feels generous and as if it is alone with the ocean and the sky. Being tightly restricted by site conditions there were only two avenues we could take to create generosity of space and location: Firstly the surprising height of the living room space that takes advantage of the only extravagant spatial dimension available to us.

And secondly the pursuit of sightlines to water and sky wherever possible. High side walls, for privacy but also to provide mass for a comfortable indoor climate, have continuous highlight windows for the enjoyment of 360° views of the sky. The large face concrete wall dominating the space has slim slot windows, allowing teasing glimpses of the ocean when entering the house while effectively cutting out the visual presence of the neighbour.

The house opens itself up completely to the East, the presentation of the stunning water views. This also allows the capture of the constant ocean breezes to cool down the house throughout the year, easily regulated by a plethora of ventilation options from sliding doors to operable louvres.

A rich but reduced palette of strong, earthy materials, from the above mentioned concrete to Timber flooring and ceilings, rust metal finishes and thick, textured renders, contrasts with the fine detailing of the interior and anchors the residence against the airy, light aspect created by the opening to the views.

Sophisticated simplicity would be the most appropriate motto for the design of this house. Being on a very small block the client’s expectations of the generosity and design standard to be achieved required a very stringent approach.

While the focus is naturally on the maximisation of the enjoyment of the majestic ocean views it was the suburban context that drove most of the major design decisions: The slotted northern concrete wall, the solid southern facade, the high roof with its continuous strip of highlight windows and louvres.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.