Balanced Calm – Edge House by Hare and Klein

Imagined from the inside out, Edge House sees the re-sculpting of an existing home to align with personal expression and a meaningful connection to place. Hare and Klein draws from the tranquil surrounds in proposing a balanced home of calm retreat that also ensures its owner feels uniquely represented in the final resolve.

Peeking out over the ocean below, Edge House rings true to its name, and through careful intervention, it opens and embraces its enviable setting Located on a cliff in Dover Heights, the home is idyllically located yet needed to become more open to better create a presence on site. The existing upper roof of the home is lifted to allow for additional mass to be added and create better connections with the surrounding views. Opting to focus assets internally, as a decision that reflects the experience of the home, Hare and Klein worked closely with the engaged client to ensure the resulting home captures both who they are and what they prioritise as part of their everyday.

In responding to the more robust and unwavering nature of the ocean and cliff-face in front, material selections reflect a similar resilience, forming the foundations of the home.

Spread over three levels, Edge House is built by Stratti Building Group and sees a more intentional alignment with the interior and the surrounds, while also embedding enhanced amenity in the process. In opening the existing volume, an expanded master suite sits atop the home. By increasing permeations of the existing shell through added windows on the vertical plane, skylights are added above to bring light deeper into the home and alleviate the need for artificial lighting throughout. In responding to the more robust and unwavering nature of the ocean and cliff-face in front, material selections reflect a similar resilience, forming the foundations of the home. From there, more tactile elements are layered throughout, softening the otherwise harder edges.

The newly formed kitchen becomes a central element of the home, as a place to gather and bring residents and visitors together while remaining connected to the view at the same time. As a family with a love of entertaining, wine and music, creating open and flowing spaces – spaces that naturally connect inside and out – was key. By ensuring clear visual access, sightlines remain uninterrupted internally and out toward the view.

By ensuring clear visual access, sightlines remain uninterrupted internally and out toward the view.

Although conceived within constraints, the resulting home feels void of compromise and enhanced through elevated gestures. By intentionally opening the existing and adding as needed, Edge House becomes better anchored to its site. Working outward, Hare and Klein ensures tactility and connection bind the home, both internally and to the surrounds.