Kevin Snell is a well known Sydney based architect. He has practiced architecture for over 20 years in both the commercial and residential sectors of the building construction industry.
The house shown in the attached plan (PDF format) features a simple yet inspired renovation of a home located in Killcare Heights on the other side of Broken Bay across from Palm Beach. The house provides the most amazing views from Whale Beach to Long Reef. The property is nestled in a secluded bush location.
Although this home is no longer for sale if you would like more information about similar coastal homes on the Central Coast of NSW contact Ray White - Killcare Peninsula at 02 4360 2222 (and ask for Kerrie or Wendy).
As can be seen from the pictures above and the attached design plan there are many obvious as well as surprising design features contained within this home that make everyday experiences a pleasure.
- Living areas are oriented to solar north (there is a difference between solar and magnetic north, "google it" to see the difference).
- The program of the home has been arranged to ensure views to the South Coast from the top level of the house where the main living/dining and kitchen areas are located. There is also a main bedroom suite on this level; an excellent resale feature that appeals to various potential buying groups. The study offers the users an extra space for a babies bedroom, use as a dressing room or for what it was intended; a very flexible space
- When looking at the plan note the arrangement of rooms facing north; this is a very well designed home that will be warm in the winter and mostly shaded during summer. If you look at the pool area photograph there are large overhangs on all but three of the six windows facing the pool area and north. Unfortunately the large louvre window with no overhang draws a great deal of unwanted sun into the home during summer; but this is fixable with a well designed suspended awning.
- The pool is also located to the north allowing for a longer swimming season; avoid locating a pool on the southern side of any building or home.
- Excellent use of storage around the stairwell makes this space multifunctional.
- A pop-up skylight directs northern sun penetration into the lounge space to the south of the building. This is important because this is where people spend their time relaxing and enjoying the view.
- A pop-up skylight directs sunlight to the entry space on the ground level; a very smart way of lighting up what would otherwise be a dark space.
- The wall colour is a warm white due to white's reflective properties. Thus natural light can penetrate much deeper into the home.
- There is a maximum use of floor space with no wasted hall spaces and even though the main living area is very open plan, the stairwell has created a slight visual buffer for the powder room across from the stairs
- Most of the eastern and western walls have small windows; another good design feature. Eastern sun in the winter mornings is lovely but can be quiet strong in the height of summer. The sun is difficult to control on the east and eest sides of a house; the occupants need to rely on various combinations of sun control devices. This applies even more so on the west side of a house; always make sure you insulate the western walls more than the others.
- The home contains a space that can be used as a teenagers area or guest retreat. Note there is a door between the family room and the entry/stairwell space. However it might have been easier to design direct access from the bathroom /laundry area to the family area, thus making it totally self contained.
- Note that the house has not been designed for a young family; there is no north-facing outdoor space connected to the main living area (children do not like to play on shaded southern facing decks).
Written by : Angela Elliss