2021 National Architecture Awards shortlist
Traditional Land Owners: The Guringai People
Pearl Beach house is the realisation of the clients dream, to build a bespoke, concrete sculpture in the bush, on a budget that demanded creative solutions.
The site is nestled amongst Burrawang scrubby woodland, rainforest species and ancient grass trees, on the edge of Pearl Beach village.
Inspired by the patch of blue sky amongst the dense tree canopy, the heavy masonry form wraps around this clearing, elevating living areas to capture the sun.
The carefully considered entry sequence defines the spatial arrangement of the building. This journey blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, to create connection to both bush and sky.
Off form concrete is used judiciously, mixed with low cost materials within a restrained palette. The predominance of grey textures enhances the homogenous sculptural quality of the building, considered bursts colour in the ceramics and heavily grained timber, ground the building in its bush surrounds.
Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?
“The everyday is elevated as we walk through rooms and experience variations in light, mood and texture. Views of the bush have been selected and framed, which somehow feels more immersive. It’s impossible not to smile wide when bathing outdoors, in the elements. We feel part of what’s around us.
The experience of living in the space is transformational.
The house works as a unified whole, spatially because of how easy it is to open up to the outdoors and visually because of the consistent palette of materials. It induces calm, it allows us to be still and reflective.”
Polly Harbison, Design Architect
Ron Woods, Project
Bridget Webb, Graduate of Architecture
Jincheng Jiang, Graduate of Architecture
Gracie Grew, Graduate of Architecture
Giorgi Jardine, Graduate of Architecture
TRIAS, Architect
Tihanyi Consultants, Structural Engineer
Arent and Pyke, Interior Design Collaborators
Michael Cooke Garden Design, Landscape Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
