Cliff Rd Shoreham House | Jackson Clements Burrows

This proposal is for a new 4 bedroom residence at Cliff Rd Shoreham. It is initially proposed to be used as a weekender, but it is anticipated that over time the owners will spend greater portions of the week here. The sites dominant landscape feature is a plateau of vineyards that also runs across the two allotments immediately to the west. Our clients own the immediately adjacent vineyard allotment. There is an escarpment that runs diagonally across our site – acting as a natural boundary to the vines. Grasses occupy the sloping land that falls away from this point down to the coastal reserve. The adjacent site to the east includes a shed close to our boundary and a single storey residence. The siting strategy endeavours to retain the majority of vineyards as the significant landscape feature of the site. It is the client’s intention to produce wines from this vineyard. The driveway runs along the eastern boundary, adjacent to the existing vines, and the garage and store abuts the eastern boundary at a similar location to the existing shed of the adjoining property. The plan is divided into three segments that gently twist and hinge along its length – beds and rumpus to the south, entry and guest bedroom in the middle and living spaces with master bedroom to the north running along the natural ridgeline of the site. The building is primarily single story, but the volume of the living space rises to the north to allow a mezzanine floor that accommodates the master bedroom at its highest point. This gently twisting and undulating plan and section response reflects the gently undulating topography of the site and serves to enhance views and privacy to different segments of the plan as required. A veranda runs continuously along the western edge of the building, affording improved weather protection and allowing for external circulation and sheltered outdoor activities. It also references the rural vernacular. The linear plan is also arranged to maximise cross flow ventilation to passively cool rooms in summer and its undulations afford sheltered outdoor spaces from prevailing winds. A slab on ground ensures good thermal mass. Reverse brick veneer construction with rendered internal walls and timber external cladding further aids the thermal performance of the building. The materials pallet comprises mainly timber cladding, timber windows and laminated timber veranda posts. The materials, textures and landscaping proposed have been selected to compliment that of the surrounding the area, including the vines and nearby timber mill. In summary the proposal endeavours to draw on the unique landscape characteristics of the site to produce a dwelling that is a sensitive and appropriate response to its place, landscape and topography. It will also provide accommodation that utilises passive thermal techniques to enhance occupant comfort and reduce the requirement for energy use for heating and cooling.