National Award for Residential – Houses (New) – 2021 National Architecture Awards
Traditional Land Owners: The Awabakal People
Whitebridge, near Newcastle was famous in the 1800’s for a 60 acre garden, ‘Bulls Gardens’. It was described at the time as a botanic wonderland of a large variety of plants, visited by national and international guests.
We collectively set out on this project with the idea of arriving at a garden and the coastal view. The house bookends the garden as the headlands do the beach. A shared love of the war time coastal bunkers in Europe and Australia, and the climatic benefit derived of integration with the landscape meant the house is half buried for climatic stability, bushfire protection and increased habitat and biodiversity.
The house has hovering platforms of earth and planting, under which to shelter. The site is more landscape than house and the robustness of concrete endures the interaction with the surrounding geology and earth. The Danish client refers to the house as the ‘Bunkeren’.
Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?
“Our primary objective was to create a home that provided a balance of shared and private spaces for our large family. The communal areas flow seamlessly on the same level allowing family and guest to spend time together or seek intimate spaces. Our kids can play inside or in the garden within sight but without feeling watched. The bedrooms and work spaces are more secluded and give privacy. An escape into ones own space. The stone room and cellar are our hidden gems that we use as a quiet retreat individually or as a family.“
Jeremy Sieczko, Graduate of Architecture
Elise Okunew, Other, Office Manager
Professor Max Irvine Pty Ltd, Structural Engineer
Darren Nichols Design, Landscape Consultant
Lotte Kjeldsen, Lighting 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.
