This project is an exercise in maximizing the opportunities of a constrained site to achieve free-flowing indoor/outdoor living.

"Palmy", as its known in the office, is for a young family who has lived in an existing house on the narrow 10x40m site who came to us with a great brief and a lived-understanding of the local conditions. Sitting directly across a laneway from the ocean at Palm Beach, the driver of this design are the ocean-facing spaces: the main bedrooms, pool, outdoor entertaining, and a seamlessly integrated living area.

At the heart of the plan, a courtyard marries two distinct halves of the house while serving as the main arrival space. A garage, studio and guest area provide a buffer to the busy and noisy thoroughfare to the west, with guests welcomed into the heart of the plan through an open pergola leading to the courtyard entry.

An expressive concrete and steel stair takes one up to a bridge linking the east and west pavilions of the house while providing views to the hinterland. An overall palette of timber, stone, concrete, and steel unifies the overall experience, while openings are protected from harsh sun and overlooking from possible future multi-storey development.

We are very excited to see this one under construction in early 2022. Its currently out to tender.

Great clients make great projects.

Complete 2023.

• Architecture - Studio Workshop Architects

• Builder - Coakers Building

• Photography - Andy Macpherson