Set atop a prominent escarpment in Collaroy Plateau, New South Wales, the Eagle’s Nest house by Ian Bennett Design Studio aspires to balance and curate the experience of outlook and expansiveness of site, with privacy and seclusion. Located in a high level bushfire area, the team ensured to achieve the highest level of bushfire compliance, all with an uncompromised aesthetic. Shall we go inside?
“Influenced by contemporary Brazilian Modernism, the ground floor’s “public program” (living, dining, kitchen) is enclosed by large glass sliding doors to the north and east, enabling uninhibited 135-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Pittwater, Narrabeen lake and Bilgola Plateau. Retracting the doors provides the coveted internal / external living that Sydney’s climate enjoys year-round.” – Ian Bennett Design Studio
The first floor that houses the private program of bedrooms aspires to frame select vistas from each space in a more intimate process, subconsciously inviting one to look further into the view, akin to a painting of a landscape. Being on a site surrounded with public land and fronted with both a busy pedestrian walkway and vehicular thoroughfare, the structure was consciously designed to capture views while maintaining privacy through the use of an operable louvre skin that allows the occupants to mediate privacy and solar access along three facades.
Utilising the client’s expertise with off form concrete allowed the floors, walls and soffits to be one material with three different textures; burnished floor, sheet form walls and board form soffits – all requiring no future maintenance whilst providing a disparate background for light and shade to interact.
The floors, walls, and soffits all utilise off form concrete with three different textures; burnished floor, sheet form walls and board form soffits. These don’t require any future maintenance whilst providing a contrasting background for light and shade to interact.
“To contrast the expanse of concrete, rough laid recycled brickwork (recycled from the demolition of the existing house) painted satin white, provides a subtle backdrop for the matt black flat plate steel origami staircase that suspends down from the first floor. Externally, a weathered copper box sits atop the concrete structure and angles due north for optimum solar access with extruded black steel boxes framing views and providing protection to the first floor windows from the harsh escarpment environment. – Ian Bennett Design Studio”
With a restrained material palette and detailing, Eagle’s Nest by Ian Bennett Design Studio aims to celebrate its connection with breathtaking views and amazing site without compromising privacy, aesthetic, and overall livability.
Project: Eagle’s Nest
Architect: Ian Bennett Design Studio
Location: Sydney, Australia
Type: Renovation
Interior Design: Ian Bennett Design Studio
Photography: Clinton Weaver
