A Lakeside AbodeExotic architecture and design can make a home a tropical wonder – where every day is a holiday in sunlit luxury.STORY BY MARILYN COLLINS

PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE GRANT

HUNTER HOMES

A n east-facing, waterfront site on Tuggerah Lake caught the attention of the owners of this property. The land was deep and mostly flat but had the challenge of a steep decline down to the waterfront.

The cottage that was located on the site was well positioned but unfortunately didn’t have enough promise to be converted into the home they had envisioned. The decision was made to demolish the house and engage a designer to create a custom-designed home to meet their specific requirements.

Through a reference from a colleague, they decided on Melanie Symington from Seaside Homes, whose design firm specialises in waterfront properties.

A lot of thought had gone into the layout of the rooms before consulting Melanie, so the design process went very smoothly. The general brief was for a contemporary yet welcoming home that would address the already changing requirements of its occupants.

One of the owners was planning to begin a very active retirement, and so would require a defined office area. Their teenage daughter also had study and entertainment requirements that needed to be addressed.

To meet both needs, two separate bedroom suites were incorporated in the design.

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The first was the parents’ area, which comprised a large master bedroom, dressing room, elegant en-suite, verandah and office. This wing of the house could be isolated from the other spaces, creating a private retreat.

The other suite incorporated two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room and verandah and was dedicated solely for the use of their daughter and her friends. A separate guest room and bathroom were included in another area of the residence.

On the ground floor, the focus was on connecting the living spaces to the incredible water views. The lady of the house wanted these rooms to have solid access to the sun through all seasons. A compromise was achieved through the use of operable aluminium louvres in the roof of the north-facing pergola, allowing the owners to open the roof fully and have sun flood the living and dining room, or close it completely to create shade in summer.

The living room sits forward of the dining room and kitchen, which ensures a separation of the spaces, whilst maintaining the objectives of open-plan living. With openings on three sides, the cooling north-easterly breezes sweep through this space, generating the ambience of a conservatory.

Displayed throughout the home is a large selection of unusual artwork. Specific alcoves were incorporated into the design to feature some very special pieces, such as a collection of masks gathered during many years of travel.

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from a streetscape perspective, the contemporary, skillion roof lines were thought best to run across the site. However, the east/west site orientation meant the windows and doors on these facades were exposed to the sun.

To address this, the lower sections of the skillion roof lines were designed to wrap around the east and west faces of the building creating eaves.

The construction process was undertaken by Hokin Homes, who maintained a very positive relationship with their clients throughout the build. Attention to detail was a priority for them and their requirements were well addressed by the company.

A feature of the home is the glass blade-edge pool which sits between the wrap-around decks and the waterfront, in defiance of the steeply sloping site. A terraced sitting area to the north of the pool highlights the slope, increasing the drama of the pool’s position.

The project was the recipient of a design award in this year’s Building Designers Association Awards, and was recognised specifically for its outdoor living spaces and their connection to the interior rooms.

sitting back in a chair on the waterfront deck with a glass of wine in hand, this summer is looking very enjoyable for this grand home’s family.

The general brief was for a contemporary yet welcoming home that would address the already changing requirements of its occupants.

DESIGNER: Seaside Homes Designs ....................Ph: 02 4976 3413

BUILDER: Hokin Homes .....................................Ph: 02 4358 2242

KITCHEN: Galley Kitchens ...................................Ph: 02 4329 1900

Multi-Award Winning Building Designer

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