Photos: John Gollings & Peter Bennetts
Coogee House By Chenchow Little Architects
Australia’s blistering summer heat, windswept hillsides, and sandblasted beaches are all necessary hardships for the citizens of Sydney. As byproducts of the country’s unique equatorial location, the country’s architecturally-inclined residences are forced to adhere to these strict conditions — a welcome challenge for Chenchow Little’s regarded architectural firm.
To alleviate the summer’s penetrating heat, the Coogee House was devised to bring a taste of tropical life to the suburban hillside. Situated on a steeply slanted corner lot, the dwelling braves harsh sun, salt spray from the Pacific Ocean and strong winds, leaving little room for the growth of naturally occurring foliage. To compensate, an angled roof structure and intricate, slat-like screen walls were integrated within the space, providing shaded living areas that thrive upon the dispersion of light. Solar shading and a lightweight masonry shell give way to the home’s external socialization areas, which house a multitude of decks, living rooms, and verandas. A front-facing exposure provides panoramic views of the ocean, while simultaneously providing privacy from the home’s surrounding properties due to differences in elevation.
