Protected Sanctuary in an Unforgiving Landscape - Cross House, Julian Guthrie Architecture

Purposely protected from the prevailing elements, Julian Guthrie Architecture’s Cross House sees a pair of double-storey box volumes joined by an elegant screened glass link come together to carve a private sanctuary for its custodians.

Located in Omaha Beach, an L-shaped floor plan sees a pair of ominous box volumes come together, separated by a discreet and elegantly detailed screened glass link. The beautiful natural setting is highlighted in the design by forming connections to the outdoors. Glazing elements are deliberately positioned to maximise the stunning, and expansive, view of the adjacent native landscape. Meanwhile, the rear of the building is purposely oriented in the direction of coastal weather, acting as a front and creating a sense of intimacy and privacy.

Core to the brief was the need for low maintenance and a sense of robustness, both in response to its context and to withstand the harsh coastal conditions. The resulting design comprises three bedrooms, a double garage and an outdoor pool, connected through varying indoor and outdoor pathways. The primary living spaces were deliberately positioned on the ground floor to allow an ease of flow to the outdoor area and pool. The other passive retreat-type spaces were then placed on the upper floor. Nestled in a stunning natural environment, a rooftop terrace added to the third level captures the expansive coastal views.

From the outset, the clients had shown an interest in using a raw concrete finish, and the resulting form exhibits a strong connection to materiality. The exterior is comprised of exposed precast concrete panels, each expressed with a rough-sawn timber finish reminiscent of weathered coastal timber. Internally, the vertical surfaces remain unfinished, showing exposed concrete that is given an injection of warmth with pale eucalyptus timber flooring on the ground floor and textural coir matting on the second level.

Set amongst some impartially suburban responses to the coastal footprint, through materiality, composition and formality, Cross House aims to respond to its environmental conditions. The resulting bold, classical form and clean lines represent not only the robustness of the home, but also beautifully express its arrangement. Julian Guthrie Architecture presents a contextually relevant and handsome example of durability and strength in an unforgiving coastal landscape.

An L-shaped floor plan sees a pair of ominous box volumes come together, separated by a discreet and elegantly detailed screened glass link.