Daniel and Cecilie's House
Our clients desired attention to detail and the exposed post and beam structure is integrated beautifully into the overall finish. As well the design allows the interior to open up in the hotter months to take advantage of cool air cross-ventilation and in the cooler months to close down to reduce the volume required to be heated.

We are thrilled to announce that Daniel and Cecilie's place received an Architecture Award at the 2011 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Country Division for recently completed projects, in the category Residential Architecture - Houses New.

The jury citation reads:

"The arrangement of spaces within the project successfully deals with the difficult site issues to provide a sensitively finished solution at a modest budget. The plan presents a deliberate separation of sleeping and living zones, yet maintains a strong connection to the landscape throughout the entire home."

Saltwater Songs Studio additions
The new pavilion is attached to the existing house by a timber and steel bridge that crosses the remnant rainforest gully.  It is beautifully detailed and minimally equipped for meditating, playing music and reading.

House for Toby
This house is located right in Tathra with spectacular views and close to all the amenities our client needs.  Access to the upstairs living areas is via a 26 metre ramp, an internal lift or via the internal stairs and climbing wall installation.  External cladding is fibre cement, hardwood, galvanised steel and weathered steel.  Our client can keep an eye on passing whales and shipping through the extensive glazing and decks.

At the 2011 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter Country Division awards held in Coffs Harbour in October 2011, this project received the Termimesh Timber Award.

The jury citation reads:

"This home celebrates the warmth and texture that timber can bring to a home. Externally, timber is the dominant feature of the facade, but it is the fine detailing of these walls, window reveals and battened sun screens that set it apart from most. Ultimately though, it was the considered use and gentle detailing of the internal timber joinery, floors and climbing walls that saw the jury award this distinguished honour."

Merimbula Residence
Located on a steep, south-facing block with filtered views over Merimbula Lake, this house is filled with light and ambience.  The side elevation windows are located within setback wall penetrations, similar to the Freedman House, and maximise privacy and light.  It is the first project we have built with local builder, Steve Hodgson.  Inside the joinery is meticulously crafted and stylish; outside the materials have been left in an unfinished state to weather and age naturally.  Our young-at-heart clients plan to retire here in the future.  Read what they said

Headland House, Tathra
We have designed a compact box that protects the inhabitants from fierce southerly storms and winds. Northern sun is captured in a manner that also maximises privacy on this very public site. Sweeping views to the south and east can be enjoyed from each room, yet this is a very meditative house, with spaces beautifully detailed and considered. Externally we have combined recycled oyster sticks, oiled hardwood timber and bronzed anodised aluminium panels. The entry door is carefully integrated within the external hardwood panelling, only the door handle gives a clue as to where to knock!

Potato Point Beach House
By building with the local, traditionally-used materials, the house is a timely reinterpretation of south coast holiday 'shack' design.  The unadorned simplicity of the 2 boxed pavilions placed together and clad in fibro, hardwood timber and corrugated steel create a familiar community language.

The Outlook
This alteration and addition is located on the shore of a lake on the Far South Coast of NSW. The original house was a ramshackle pile built as a bolt-hole for a local farmer.  When demolition works were completed, all that remained was the fireplace and an out of alignment concrete slab.
Our brief was to create a relaxed family home for a family of 5 and to take full advantage of the spectacular location.
This project won the Termimesh Timber Award at the 2008 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Country Division.

Freedman House
The house is split-level, with adult living on upper level, kids’ living on lower level, and level access to garage/entry at street level in the middle.  Internally, a split timber stair connects the floors; wrapping around the timber feature wall that physically and visually connects internal and external spaces.
Privacy is maximised by strategic window placement.  The entry faces the street, is overlooked by neighbours and deliberately has no windows – the only penetrations are entry and garage doors.  Side elevation windows are located within setback wall penetrations.

Merimbula RSL Club Courtyard
Although the courtyard is not large, there are built elements that create a dynamic impact, such as the curved timber plywood awning on the northern wall and the beautiful granite fountain. The double height copper wall creates reflections and adds 'warmth' and liveliness to the space.

Self Sufficient House, Wyndham
Located in an isolated pocket of the Far South Coast of NSW, this house had to generate its own electricity, use solar power and collect all roof water without gutters.  As well, bushfire protection and security were important considerations.
This project won an architecture award at the 2008 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Country Division for Affordable Architecture.

Pool
A pool in the backyard is part of the Australian vernacular.  In this case the pool had to meet stringent requirements including to allow easy access for a disabled member of the family. The builders, AB and JM Rettke of Tathra were the winners of the Outdoor Living Project of the Year at the 2007 HIA South Coast Building Awards. In September, the pool builders AB and JM Rettke won the Outdoor Living Project of the Year at the 2007 HIA ACT and Southern NSW Housing Awards. It was a finalist at the national HIA awards in April 2008.

Bega Education Centre, Wollongong University
Due to the success of the Bega Campus, Wollongong University took the step in 2004 of planning for expansion.  Not only did the university wish to accommodate more students, it also needed a modern, welcoming street frontage with more impact and interiors that reflected a contemporary tertiary institution.
The new facility includes 2 classrooms, 2 large tutorial rooms, a tutors' room, adminstration offices and extra facilities. A large entry lounge and a rear courtyard provide students with pleasant spaces in which to meet and mingle outside of class time.
The Bega Education Centre project won a Commendation in The Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chaper 2007 Country Division Awards for Non-Residential - Alterations and Additions.

Mirrabooka, 45 Andy Poole Drive, Tathra - Architect's own development.
Featuring 5 north-facing, spacious townhouses equipped with heated floors, european appliances and private balconies this complex offers the latest in stylish living.  Just across the road from beautiful Tathra Beach the townhouses are private and yet right in town. Mirrabooka was awarded Unit Project 2006 at the HIA Building Awards for the south coast. 
Mirrabooka Townhouses won an Award in the Multi Residential - new category in The Royal Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter 2007 Country Division Awards. You are invited to view interior photographs.

Thomas House, Kalaru
Designed for Natasha, the daughter of our clients, a universal design solution had to be found that responded to her situation.  Natasha uses a walking frame and requires easy access both within and outside the house.  It was a requirement that other members of the family and visitors would be unaware of the special access and design features.
An innovative combination of materials - stonework, copper and timber - has been used in the construction of this farmhouse which is located a few kilometres from Tathra Beach at Kalaru on the far south coast of New South Wales.
This project was commended at the 2008 AIA NSW Country Division awards for Housing - New.

Gorton House, Tanja
At the recent HIA Building Awards for the south coast, this project was awarded Custom Home over $500,000, Custom Home of the Year and Coastal Home.  The project was also a finalist in 2 sections of the Timber Development Awards held in Sydney.
We are very pleased to show you this beautiful home.  The style of the house is a cross between dutch and american architecture with a very australian flavour.  Set in 200 picturesque acres in the beautiful Tanja valley on the far south coast of NSW, this house re-interprets the Australian farmhouse.  Our clients love to cook and have many visitors staying from overseas.  The house needed to adapt to comfortably accommodate their 4 young grandchildren or feel cosy when there's just the 2 of them in residence.

Pain House
I have been influenced by Japanese architecture especially when encountering the problem of making small spaces work effectively and creating simplicity. It’s interesting in that it is a post and beam structure of stringy bark timber. Shrinkage was a problem but the key to shrinkage is that you simply tighten the bolts of your building until the timber is stable.