Describe the location of this project.

This house is in a steep gully above the beach at Tathra; a gem of a location. 

In summer it is like a natural amphitheatre to the beach – one can hear happy voices and the sound of the waves lapping the shore.  As well there is remnant rainforest vegetation with a dry creek bed. 

A complicating factor was the problem of the site being a land-slip area.   

What were the important design decisions?

Firstly – figure out how to handle land slip.  I used the driveway as an anchor and then used bridge technology with post piers being drilled and chemically set into rock.  After that the rest was easy.

How was this project built on such a steep site?

Talk to the builder (Roger Holzhauser).  I’m not sure exactly how he did it, but he’s very proud of it.  Using only 2 workers, I believe he first built the columns and platforms up and put the roof on and then built back down.

Why does this building work so well?

The covered verandahs open the house to the site, birds, sun, rain etc while you remain protected.  No gutters mean that when it rains the roof creates a showering effect, which is lovely to see and experience.