Bilgola Beach House by Olson Kundig

Nestled amid breathtaking surrounds, Bilgola Beach House respectfully navigates the lush landscape as a series of volumes that embrace the natural context.

In their first Australian home project, award-winning US-based architectural practice Olson Kundig carefully brought the clients’ vision to fruition, navigating the challenges of designing remotely through technology, regular visits and an engaged team. “While there were logistical issues with designing overseas, we have worked on projects all over the world,” says Tom Kundig, principal, owner and founder of Olson Kundig and design principal on the project. “We also leant on our previous experience together with local representative Auric Projects to ensure the design was appropriate, responsive and durable to the conditions.”

Intentionally recessive, the focus of the design remained on the experience of being within the landscape, with the home serving as a vessel to experience the surrounds from.

Applying an attuned and detailed approach, the brief called for an immersive residential family retreat. “The clients had a long-standing connection to Bilgola Bay,” says Kundig. “Their vision was to build a multigenerational home where their children and grandchildren could gather and visit.” It was through this deep connection of the setting that then laid the design foundations.

Overlooking Sydney’s northern coast, the home is instilled with a sense of remoteness. Intentionally recessive, the focus of the design remained on the experience of being within the landscape, with the home serving as a vessel to experience the surrounds from. “The clients wanted to be able to engage with the surrounding landscape as much as possible,” says Kundig, “while remaining protected from harsh summer sun and during storms or other more challenging weather events.”

Sitting in contrast to the wispy coastal grasses, the bold rectilinear form feels anchored in place as a refuge from the elements.

Sitting in contrast to the wispy coastal grasses, the bold rectilinear form feels anchored in place as a refuge from the elements. “Part of responding to the surrounding landscape is designing a space that’s in rhythm with it,” says Kundig. “The central courtyard is a simple but effective strategy to introduce filtered light into the home and reduce the need for air conditioning. It passively draws fresh air into the main living room and the guest wing, while the reflecting pool has an additional cooling effect on the space.”

Built by Bellevarde Constructions and with landscape design by CAB Consulting, each space in Bilgola Beach House connects in some way to the landscape from the entry onwards, with an operable facade that allows the sea breezes inward and ease of access beyond the built casing. “Technology on this project allowed us to respond to the unique conditions of the site without sacrificing the clients’ vision,” adds Kundig. “We developed a custom exterior shutter system that allows the interior to receive that natural daylight moderated in the height of the summer as conditions change throughout the day.”

While the form offers both a lightness in the metal cladding and generous use of glass, the masonry elements offer a welcomed sense of grounded balance.

Drawing inspiration from the surroundings, “the home’s materials and tones play off of the sand dunes and cliff faces,” says Kundig. “We essentially wanted the house to appear like it had grown out of the dunes.” While the form offers both a lightness in the metal cladding and generous use of glass, the masonry elements offer a welcomed sense of grounded balance.

“Erosion is a significant force in a beach environment, so resiliency drove a lot of our design choices,” he adds. “We used a concrete piling structure so sand and water can move in and out without destabilising the overall structure.” Bilgola Beach House is intended to withstand all manner of inclement climate conditions from incoming coastal winds to potential flooding and searing sunshine. “The house plays with public and more private spaces,” says Kundig. “It can open to the landscape and create pockets for gathering, but it can also close to respond to the time of day or the harsh weather.”

A deliberate warmth emanates through the finishes and their considered arrangement, connecting the home to nature.

A deliberate warmth emanates through the finishes and their considered arrangement, connecting the home to nature, which is then reinforced by the central courtyard bringing these elements in. “Bilgola Beach House is all about creating spaces that allow the family to connect with the outdoors,” says Kundig. “We designed these transitions to respond to the clients’ desire to move easily between inside and out, and to engage the surrounding environment, at any time of day and year.”

Olson Kundig’s Bilgola Beach House arranges varying levels of transparency within its overall structure, connecting internally and between the built and natural environments, with materiality intended to evolve over time. “My hope is that when the clients step into their home, they feel completely immersed in Bilgola Bay because this place carries so much meaning and history for them,” says Kundig. “I also hope that the home continues to adapt to their growing family and inspires that deep connection within the younger generations.”

Architecture and interior design by Olson Kundig. Build by Bellevarde Constructions. Landscape architecture by CAB Consulting. Civil and structural engineering by Partridge. Mechanical engineering by RJ Air Group. Coastal engineering by Horton Coastal Engineering. Geotechnical consulting by JK Geotechnics. Lighting design by Niteo Lighting. Client representation by Auric Projects. Planning by BBF Planners. Gizmo design by KB Architectural Services and Phil Turner. Gizmo fabrication by Advanced Design Innovations and Tilt Industrial Designs.