Zinc House

The house is perched on a steep hillside overlooking the city harbour and comprises three levels plus garages that connect from the street to the expansive gardens and public park below. Research into fluid dynamics influenced by the harbour catchments led to studies of straight lines flowing into curves and vice versa and these were used to derive the plan and cross sectional forms of the upper levels of the house. The walls of these areas are clad in vertically seamed zinc, which provides a regular rhythm unifying the forms and helping to relate the scale to its context.  Existing double storey garages were re-clad and connected to the new house with high level zinc walls punctuated with openings that extend across a covered outdoor terrace. This space enjoys early morning and late summer sun. The curving zinc walls enclose the house offering privacy from the street. The sculptural form has a weight and austerity but attempts to provide a welcoming invitation upon arrival. The interior itself is open and light filled with generous glazing and decks overlooking the harbour. These harbourside decks are supported on zinc clad columns that rise out of the bush below and weave past the black stained vertical timber clad forms of the lower levels.