Architects
Mark Oxenham
Martin Hall
Pip Campbell
Builder JR Blair and Sons

On an extremely exposed cliff high above Killcare Beach, the house has an incredible ocean and beach outlook. It is built solidly from concrete and rammed earth to withstand weather and bushfire around a central courtyard. The courtyard opens completely to adjacent internal areas through doors which slide away entirely. It provides an external private place protected from southerly weather and also space to bring northern winter sun into the rear of the south facing living room. Winter sun also penetrates into the rumpus room below via glass panelling in the courtyard floor. While the building looks outwards to distant views it also focuses inwards to the courtyard with its mature tree as a focal point. The structure needed to be bushfire proof which presented many challenges particuarly with the protection of the wide openings. Drop down fireproof blinds were carefully concealed within the solid structure to satisfy these requirements.