Island Bay House

Situated in a previously overgrown hollow at the front of a sloping suburban site, this new house responds to the challenge of providing greater density of housing as well as multi-generational living and accessibility.

The house nestles into the slope and has multiple setbacks to allow for the manipulation of views and mask its true size. While unmistakably modern, the house sits respectfully in the street, referencing the materials and scale of the surrounding buildings in the neighbourhood.

Living spaces occupy the upper level which prioritises views of the street and the hills to the northwest. The elevation relative to the street allows these views to be expansive without compromising privacy. Other windows that face adjacent properties are arranged so that views are oblique or high-level.  The open-plan Living, Dining, and kitchen is the heart of the home. It is flooded with natural light with spaces that are generously proportioned and defined spatially through the manipulation of ceiling heights.

The large thermally insulated translucent wall that fronts a shared driveway provides consistent natural daylighting, allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the lower bedroom level via the open stair.

Developed with accessibility in mind from the outset the house has level entry thresholds a generous wet area bathroom with discrete grab rails and a lift linking the living floor to the bedrooms below. This ensures that the owners can continue living close to their family.