A Statement to Stay – Eliza House by WALA

As a gesture of permanence, Eliza House draws on the materiality of the previous home as inspiration, anchoring the owners in place. WALA combines robust and low maintenance detailing together with a contemporary warmth to create a relevant home that will endure for many years to come.

Whilst retaining elements of an existing home has its merits, sometimes – when there is no heritage value or voluminous greatness to retain – the decision to replace is the best course of action. Despite some existing external walls being retained and used in amongst the new, the previous post-war home was superseded by a crisply conceived and contemporary series of forms. With a love of the area and wanting to create a more permanent residence for their family, the owners of Eliza House immersed themselves within the surrounding context. WALA combines open and flexible elements to allow for anticipated changing needs, while a sense of connection binds the home to its surrounding landscape.

A warm, clean palette sees timber underfoot and within the integrated joinery, with smooth and curved walls and neutral tones to suit changing furniture, artwork and lighting over time.

Eliza House is located in the area of Black Rock, within walking distance to the beach. Working with key existing walls of the previous home, the overall planning is inspired to create an east-facing courtyard space. The courtyard plays a key role in bringing light into the centre of the home and allowing free-flowing ventilation throughout as an important means to reduce the reliance on outside energy sources. How the home fits within the area and the retention of elements of the existing forms a consciousness of energy impact overtime. The coastal condition is an ideal expression of living as naturally as possible and, with reminders of the ocean nearby, it would be remiss to not allow the home to open as much as possible.

The reorienting of the entry aligns and creates a central hallway space that acts as the spine of the home, as key areas peel off this main access point. A generous and open living, dining and kitchen space then becomes the focal gathering area of the home, which then opens to the rear landscape as its own outdoor room. The glazing is curated to allow a fully opened condition with the doors stacking to one side, as key portals throughout are placed to connect to views outward and to the garden. Balancing the openness is a sense of retreat and privacy from the surrounds, where moveable features close and provide a sense of protection. A warm, clean palette sees timber underfoot and within the integrated joinery, with smooth and curved walls and neutral tones to suit changing furniture, artwork and lighting over time.

The coastal condition is an ideal expression of living as naturally as possible and, with reminders of the ocean nearby, it would be remiss to not allow the home to open as much as possible.

Through a considered analysis of existing conditions, Eliza House absorbs useable elements and recrafts a home of lasting value. WALA ensures enough adaptability is embedded to allow for changing needs over time.