Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Home on a Hill With Amazing Views
Triumphing over an almost impossibly steep site, this home welcomes the panorama of the Gold Coast skyline and the ocean beyond
After a long and challenging renovation and extension project was completed early this year, a couple of empty nesters told Mark and Angela Jamison from Jamison Architects that they’d ruined all their future holidays, as they can’t think of anywhere they’d rather be than in their new home. An ‘80s-built duplex apartment, which paid little attention to potential coastal views, is now a home that revels in an uplifting outlook. The Jamison partnership turned the drawbacks of the steep site into an opportunity to welcome the balmy Gold Coast climate, loads of light, ocean views and an exciting city skyline into the couple’s chic new nest.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A mature couple and their rescue cat Issey
Location: Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Project completed: 2015
Project scope: Refurbishment of entrance and existing main living floor, plus additional storey to an existing duplex
Architects: Mark and Angela Jamison from Jamison Architects
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A mature couple and their rescue cat Issey
Location: Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Project completed: 2015
Project scope: Refurbishment of entrance and existing main living floor, plus additional storey to an existing duplex
Architects: Mark and Angela Jamison from Jamison Architects
There were many quirks in this early 1980s building. For starters, while a ‘duplex’ usually refers to two adjacent units, this two-level unit was above and set back from the bottom unit. Mark Jamison describes the building as “practically pinned to the side of a steep hill, with the site dropping away beneath it.” The Gold Coast is a densely built area, and other homes step up the steep slope behind the duplex.
Architect Mark Jamison spoke frankly of the location’s complications. “I would say it was one of the most challenging projects we have ever worked on in twenty years,” he says. “It was a tough site and the building broke nearly every rule in the town plan in regard to boundaries and building heights,” he says. “A major issue was that there was no fire separation between the upper and lower duplexes.”
The lowest level of the unit contains three bedrooms, an ensuite, family bathroom and laundry and was left as it was, to be used by visiting family and friends. The next level, as shown in this floor plan, is the main living and dining floor, containing a recently renovated kitchen, which was retained, while the Jamisons worked around it to refurbish the remainder of the level and add a new entrance.
The lowest level of the unit contains three bedrooms, an ensuite, family bathroom and laundry and was left as it was, to be used by visiting family and friends. The next level, as shown in this floor plan, is the main living and dining floor, containing a recently renovated kitchen, which was retained, while the Jamisons worked around it to refurbish the remainder of the level and add a new entrance.
Another challenge was the restricted access to the house that is via a narrow winding laneway between large trees. “Of the 18 month project duration, six months were spent gaining town planning and local authority approvals. Apart from that, easy,” says Jamison.
The photo above highlights how the building crouched almost apologetically between smart neighbouring blocks that take full advantage of the coastal panorama. It also shows the small windows and raked ceiling/roof of the original living area. These outdated features restricted light, views and connection to the outside and beautiful old trees that enhance the outlook.
“Opening up the existing living space to the incredible views was pivotal to the project and adding an upper level over the existing living floor was the essence of the client’s brief. We couldn’t go wider to increase the views, so the option was to go higher,” says Jamison. “
“Opening up the existing living space to the incredible views was pivotal to the project and adding an upper level over the existing living floor was the essence of the client’s brief. We couldn’t go wider to increase the views, so the option was to go higher,” says Jamison. “
The pièce de résistance of the renovation is the added upper level. It was the key to giving the owners of this duplex the lifestyle they envisaged as empty nesters. It contains a luxurious master suite, lounge and covered deck and entertainment area. Jamison describes it as “like a luxury penthouse, with spectacular views.”
At street level, a new arrival space and entrance was constructed and the open carport was enclosed. The carport was replaced with an enclosed garage with vertical spotted gum timber cladding which wraps around the walls and discreetly conceals the tilt-up garage door.
“We didn’t want the garage to dominate the streetscape,” says Jamison. “Instead it looks like a seamless timber wall and allows focus on the beauty of the timber and the form of ‘base’ of the building.” The corners of the garage are softly curved, a detail which enables the new upper storey to ‘float’ slightly above it.
The tree stump on the left is what remained of a tree that the owners had removed. It was carved by an artistic neighbour and the homeowners enjoy the quirky geckos and tropical motifs as they drive onto the forecourt of their garage. Soft down lighting enhances the warm timber tones of the walls at night.
“We didn’t want the garage to dominate the streetscape,” says Jamison. “Instead it looks like a seamless timber wall and allows focus on the beauty of the timber and the form of ‘base’ of the building.” The corners of the garage are softly curved, a detail which enables the new upper storey to ‘float’ slightly above it.
The tree stump on the left is what remained of a tree that the owners had removed. It was carved by an artistic neighbour and the homeowners enjoy the quirky geckos and tropical motifs as they drive onto the forecourt of their garage. Soft down lighting enhances the warm timber tones of the walls at night.
The laser-cut powder-coated aluminium screens that are a dramatic feature on the ocean-facing facade are repeated in panels above the entry door and garage. Jamison says that, even though the street entrance is off a very private and secluded laneway, the panels add an additional soft veil of privacy to the home when backlit after dark.
From the garage walls, the spotted gum cladding continues into the entry and past the wide timber pivot door into the hallway. An unobtrusive glass awning protects the entry porch and allows full visibility of the double height hallway. The floor of the front entryway is natural split-face limestone flagstone.
Exterior copper downlights: Mondoluce
From the garage walls, the spotted gum cladding continues into the entry and past the wide timber pivot door into the hallway. An unobtrusive glass awning protects the entry porch and allows full visibility of the double height hallway. The floor of the front entryway is natural split-face limestone flagstone.
Exterior copper downlights: Mondoluce
The expanded vertical volume of the hallway is dramatised by a trio of gauzy pendant lights that appear to float in the entry. Jamison says the home now has “an arrival experience”.
Mooi Non Random pendant: Space Furniture
Mooi Non Random pendant: Space Furniture
As well as concealing the internal access door from the garage, the timber hallway wall incorporates sliding doors to a powder room, lined in large charcoal porcelain tiles, that serves the living, dining and kitchen level. The Mirror Gallery supplied the round mirror and the Foscarini concrete Aplomb Suspension lights are from Space Furniture. Both the mirror and the lights are also used in the couple’s new ensuite.
Porcelain tiles: The Tile and Stone Gallery; Laufen Il Bagno Alessi One Wall 1600 vanity, Laufen Palomba BTW toilet, Geberit Sigma dual flush plate in satin chrome: Reece; other fittings in Milli Axon range: Reece
Porcelain tiles: The Tile and Stone Gallery; Laufen Il Bagno Alessi One Wall 1600 vanity, Laufen Palomba BTW toilet, Geberit Sigma dual flush plate in satin chrome: Reece; other fittings in Milli Axon range: Reece
From the entrance, stairs lead down to the main living level. The stair treads are in polished durian timber, a tropical hardwood that blends with the existing flooring, and balustrades are laminated glass with timber handrails.
Spotted Gum cladding, Sorrento profile: Woodform Architectural Expressions; walnut timber stain: Cutek
Spotted Gum cladding, Sorrento profile: Woodform Architectural Expressions; walnut timber stain: Cutek
After the journey down the entrance hall and the stairs, there is a sense of anticipation as the last steps arrive on the living level. The ceiling height of this level was raised half a storey to allow more natural light and to open the space vertically to take in the views. The palette is anchored by the warmth of polished timber floors in Sydney spotted blue gum, enhanced by walls in ‘Whisper White’ by Dulux.
An indication of the couple’s love of mid-century furniture and objects first appears in the Danish-style Parker sideboard at the bottom of the stairs. The homeowners bought it at a garage sale and restored it. It holds, among other collected treasures, a black figurine by renowned mid-century ceramicist George Barsony.
An indication of the couple’s love of mid-century furniture and objects first appears in the Danish-style Parker sideboard at the bottom of the stairs. The homeowners bought it at a garage sale and restored it. It holds, among other collected treasures, a black figurine by renowned mid-century ceramicist George Barsony.
The entire north wall of this level, with its narrow view-reducing windows, was removed and replaced with a one-and-a-half storey 4.4 metre high full building width glazed facade. Sections of this glass expanse have decorative powder-coated aluminium screens, one of which slides up to open to the view.
The raked ceiling with its bulky beams remained in place during the project to protect the living level from the weather. When the new top level was finished and watertight, it was removed.
The raked ceiling with its bulky beams remained in place during the project to protect the living level from the weather. When the new top level was finished and watertight, it was removed.
The homeowners have a keen interest in design and a special love of mid-century, particularly ‘60s, decor and artwork. They already owned a collection of Modernist Danish furniture, sculptures and glassware to be incorporated in the proposed new spaces and displayed in new joinery. The Chiswell cabinet in the dining area was acquired from a Sydney mayoral office when it was refurbished. The wall lights are Applique de Marseille in matte white from Mondoluce, originally designed by Le Corbusier in 1954 for his Paris apartment.
The dining area adjoining the lounge enjoys the coastal vista and contains some of the couple’s mid-century furniture finds. The pendant light is the 1966-designed Louis Poulsen PH 4/3 and the table and chairs are from Found Furniture.
A bank of louvres flank the western end of the ocean-facing facade to control sun, ventilation and privacy from neighbours. The decorative laser-cut screens also filter sunlight, and a motorised external blind manages sun penetration. All glazing is tinted in glare-reducing grey from Viridian.
Sashless window system: Aneeta; Precious Pearls powder-coat frames in ‘Metropolis Bronze’: Dulux; screens and balustrade in Duratec powder-coat ‘Eternity Titanium Pearl Satin’: Dulux
A bank of louvres flank the western end of the ocean-facing facade to control sun, ventilation and privacy from neighbours. The decorative laser-cut screens also filter sunlight, and a motorised external blind manages sun penetration. All glazing is tinted in glare-reducing grey from Viridian.
Sashless window system: Aneeta; Precious Pearls powder-coat frames in ‘Metropolis Bronze’: Dulux; screens and balustrade in Duratec powder-coat ‘Eternity Titanium Pearl Satin’: Dulux
An open timber staircase leads up to the new top level and the homeowners’ ‘penthouse’, past an illuminated niche where the couple like to display favourite sculptures, like this Murano glass vase. They love to ferret out interesting glassware from eBay and different markets.
The master suite comprises the couple’s bedroom, ensuite, dressing area, lounge and a massive covered entertainment terrace with an outdoor bar. The sensation of being on top of the world is enhanced by the step up to the bedroom space, which overlooks the lounge and glorious views. Ceiling-hung sliding doors concealed in the wall can wholly or partly close off the bedroom.
Behind the bed, a wall partially conceals the ensuite, allowing just a glimpse of the free-standing bath and dramatic marble feature wall. Behind the ensuite is a walk-in robe. Horizontal louvres control light, heat and privacy.
Walls: Dulux ‘Whisper White’; bedside tables: Found Furniture
Walls: Dulux ‘Whisper White’; bedside tables: Found Furniture
“The most dramatic feature of the ensuite is the 2.4-metre-high marble backdrop to the bath,” says Jamison. The chipolina marble with its heavy grey veining, from CDK Stone, was sourced by Jenny and gives impact to the subtle neutral palette. Walls are in large format charcoal porcelain tile from The Tile and Stone Gallery, vanity cabinetry is Blackbutt Wave from Laminex and vanity top is Caesarstone Organic White.
Laufen Living Square vanity basins, Teknobili Loop basin mixer: Reece; Milli Axon towel bar: Reece
Laufen Living Square vanity basins, Teknobili Loop basin mixer: Reece; Milli Axon towel bar: Reece
Throughout the home, the clean mid-century-style joinery is a highlight on both levels, but is truly the star of the show on the top level. The lounge area is separated from the sleeping quarters by a sleek seat-height teak veneer bench. The joinery behind the lounge space flows almost seamlessly to become the full-height wardrobe doors, and on to form a small dresser in the ensuite. The grey lounge was custom-built by JCF Designs and the rug is from The Rug Shop, Bangalow.
Navlam Teak cabinetry: New Age Veneers; Flos Arco floorlamp: The Gold Coast Antique Centre
Navlam Teak cabinetry: New Age Veneers; Flos Arco floorlamp: The Gold Coast Antique Centre
attached to the bedroom, this entertaining terrace provides ample space for the homeowners to enjoy gatherings with family and friends, or just for luxurious lazing on their own. The vertical side louvres increase cross ventilation, provide privacy and still allow views.
The LouvreTec louvres are powder-coated aluminium in Duratec ‘Eternity Titanium Pearl Satin’ by Dulux. The balustrade echoes the lines of the louvres. “We didn’t go with glass,” says Jamison, “to avoid all that cleaning!” The floor tiles are grey granite.
Gloster ‘Vista’ sofas: Cosh Living
The LouvreTec louvres are powder-coated aluminium in Duratec ‘Eternity Titanium Pearl Satin’ by Dulux. The balustrade echoes the lines of the louvres. “We didn’t go with glass,” says Jamison, “to avoid all that cleaning!” The floor tiles are grey granite.
Gloster ‘Vista’ sofas: Cosh Living
Jamison stresses that the sometimes challenging path of the project was smoothed by the homeowners’ enthusiastic involvement. “They added so much. One of the owners is a professional renderer, and he even did the rendering on the exterior of the upper floor. The other owner had enormous input into selections for finishes, fabrics, fittings and furniture.”
The couple’s new connection with their natural environment is brought home to them when they have visitors like this curious kookaburra perched on their wall to the left.
The couple’s new connection with their natural environment is brought home to them when they have visitors like this curious kookaburra perched on their wall to the left.