Jetty House

The narrow, steeply sloping site and council height restrictions allowed and suggested a long narrow building. The design response was a long and light weight stepping form which stretched up the hill from a lower-level garage excavated into the bottom of the site. A clear circulation path links the house from both the upper and lower street frontages along the southern side of the house. Internally, a higher central section of space runs through the upper-level living area. This space is defined and supported by a series of exposed structural spotted gum posts which are evocative of the wharf structure in the bay below. The higher roof line allows light into the living space while blocking out the view of a neighbouring building. Decks open off all levels to take in the view, including an upper deck which is concealed behind the central roof form. External materials including fibro, corrugated iron, timber, concrete and split face block are all arranged to complement and breakdown the form of the building. Builder: Earth Dwellings  Photography: Neil Fenelon