Architect: Rolf Ockert. Architect.
Photographer: Mark Syke and ROAr
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This site in South Coogee, on Sydney’s city coast, is certainly one of the most unusual we have ever come across. There is no backyard. Instead a big, rocky ravine within the cliffs brings the Pacific Ocean right into is core.
The house is an extension of its location and could not reasonably sit anywhere else. It grows out of the rock organically and responds to the rapture that defines its chasmic base.
The resulting X-shaped plan of the house suits its internal organisation perfectly, with four Bedrooms upstairs and Living, Dining, Loggia and Garage on the main level, both above ground. The natural fall in the rock allowed two more levels below that, getting more private, and more intimate with its rocky location, as one goes down.
The presence of the ocean is immediate and intimate, from everywhere in the house. The angular plan and split level section, in combination with, sometimes unexpected, voids and openings, allow a myriad of different view points and experiences of the ocean, the rocks and the sky, enlivened by the various paths of natural light into the house over the course of the day and the year.
The natural ravine does not stop at the existing sea wall but continues right under the house to the street. While this created the opportunity to retain the natural flow of stormwater it also, together with the extreme wind forces that needed to be allowed for in this location, presented unusual engineering challenges.
Still the house presents as light and airy. While appearing modest and reserved to the street the house opens up dramatically to the east. The split level section follows the natural flow of the land, minimising the need for excavation. The experience of the very high living and dining level is enhanced by entering it through the low height, almost compressed, entry area.
The more personal rumpus living space, together with the areas allowing the clients to follow their various private pursuits, such as Play Room, Gym and climate controlled Wine Cellar are one level below, accessible via a very light stairs. This level also offers a more sheltered outdoor sitting area, a necessity in this location, and the pool that extends east to almost over the ocean itself.
On the level below this are the private study and the Ravine Room, accompanying the rocky gorge , with the latter lit by window slots in the bottom of the pool.
From the entry area a stairs, tucked away to the side, leads up to the bedroom area, highest up over the ocean.
The immediate environment of this house can be severe, salty and stormy. The materials have been selected accordingly. Marine grade concrete, anodised aluminium and glass have been specified to last indefinitely. Steel, where required, is 316 stainless, external linings have been avoided.
The entire roof area feeds into a very large rainwater tank that supplies water for toilets, laundry, landscaping and pool. A large PV system is sized to provide ample electricity during the day. The client’s electric vehicle provides a mobile battery system, a permanent battery will be installed once more data on supply and demand have been collected.