The owners of this oceanside property had lived on the Bellarine Peninsula site for more than two decades. However, they were notified that significant corrosion throughout the steel structure had condemned their house. Although the timing wasn’t ideal, the family saw an opportunity. As a result, they decided to invest in the land and create a home that would last for generations. To bring this vision to life, they enlisted Kate Fitzpatrick and Ben Stibbard from Auhaus Architecture. The brief for The Cliff House was clear: it should connect with the surrounding dune landscape, responding to it, protecting from it, and complementing it.
“We came to the project with full knowledge of the history of the site and with the task of designing a house that could withstand a barrage of salt spray and wind without deteriorating over time. There was also a strong focus on the need for views from all areas of the house and a design that responds to multi-generational living and the types of spaces that entails,” say Kate and Ben.
The concrete and timber façade of this home creates an austere first impression. However, the concrete shell quickly gives way upon entering the “half-level entry.” Drawing inspiration from the untamed dune landscape, the interior uses a natural, durable material palette in a softer, more inviting way. Furthermore, hardwood timber clads the ceiling, many internal walls, and the joinery. Meanwhile, the rich blues and greens of the oceanside cleverly appear in the flooring, tiling, and soft furnishings.
The Cliff House is subdivided into three levels. On the downstairs level, a granny flat accommodates the grandparents. In contrast, the main floor includes the living and kids’ quarters, while the top floor houses the master suite. Each “wing” connects sincerely with the external environment. As the northern courtyard and roof garden mature, they will drape over the main concrete structure. Ultimately, each space will “feel nestled into the site and intimately connected to the landscape beyond.”
— Kate Fitzpatrick and Ben Stibbard
Perched over a dune escarpment, The Cliff House sits directly adjacent to a public beach carpark. As a result, the interface with the public became a key element of the home’s design, with privacy being a top priority for the homeowners. Given that there is no fence separating the private and public domains, the architects used architectural character and clever landscaping. Thus, they created a “dual sense of connection and protection.”
“We’ve broken down the mass of the building on this side, opening up to the public through a large portal over the garage, which is topped with a dune roof garden that will mature and visually merge with the landscape beyond the edge of the house,” explain Kate and Ben.
In responding to a challenging landscape, The Cliff House not only connects but also complements its surrounding environment in all structural and architectural aspects. “The organic lines are a natural fit with the rugged native surrounds, creating an easy flow between spaces and reflecting the beauty of the natural environment beyond the house.”
