Bilgola Beach House in Sidney Australia
This 9,400-square-foot family home is nestled in the sand dunes of Bilgola Beach on Sydney's northern shore, Australia. The site's entrance leads through the strong volumes of the home's main and guest wings, passing through palm trees and Norfolk Pines. As you approach the front door, you can see the sand dune and beach beyond.
The residence is built to endure Australia's severe climate conditions, which include intense sunshine, powerful winds, and flooding. The structure is built on concrete piles, enabling sand and water to flow beneath it. At the same time, the design allows the family to engage with the natural world, with shaded retractable glass walls that combine inside and outdoors and provide passive ventilation. An internal courtyard delivers filtered sunshine into the heart of the house, while a central water feature serves to cool the air. The hue of the home's board-formed concrete walls is inspired by the color of the local sands, tying the building to its surroundings and allowing it to blend in with the natural state of the headlands as it weathers.
Eleon Jonker
