Bold and Natural Expression – Sorrento Light House by Wolveridge Architects
Immersed within its natural setting, Sorrento Light House navigates the undulations of the site through a playful weaving of bold forms. Wolveridge Architects takes a less conventional approach in combining private and public realms, utilising the landscape as a softened edge and inciting a meandering journey from approach.
Boldly anchored to its site, together with a naturally inspired approach, Sorrento Light House brings modern and crisp rectilinear forms as the holiday home responds to the terrain and surrounding context. Buffered by a soft and lushly curated landscape, the proposal finds a considered balance between hard and soft, the built and the natural, capturing a fitting coastal feel to match its location. Known for its early established community and extensive use of local sandstone, the vernacular of Sorrento generally reflects a similar shared muted palette, drawing on the beige tones of the coast. Achieved through an extensive and experimental process, the final formation on site was the result of a closely collaborative process between the client and Wolveridge Architects, ensuring the best and most appropriate resolve.
Upon approach, a journey through the native garden replaces the traditional front fence structure and instead presents the house as an approachable insertion.
Built by Made Build, Sorrento Light House integrates carefully considered landscape design by Ben Scott Garden Design and a uniquely interactive above ground pool to the rear. Creating the opportunity for those using the pool to remain engaged with the outdoor entertaining area, the whole backyard remains connected. Upon approach, a journey through the native garden replaces the traditional front fence structure and instead presents the house as an approachable insertion. Wrapped in light timber battens and soft brick blockwork, the forms combine in a complementary way, texturally and through their balanced tones.
Spread over two levels, the use of calming and light materials forms a restful palette and reinforces the home as the ideal escape. References to a mid-century sensibility inspire the use of concrete blockwork and blade walls, together with the crisp white interiors and large spanning glazed windows. Thin fascia lines aid in creating uninterrupted views outward and allow the internal experience to feel proportionally more generous due to its openness. Optimising its northern aspect, the open living areas connect beyond the façade and encourage light internally. Underpinning the planning and consideration was ensuring that the family home was private, connected, filled with generous natural light and could openly engage with the landscape and outdoor areas.
Creating the opportunity for those using the pool to remain engaged with the outdoor entertaining area, the whole backyard remains connected.
Through its cool and collected reprise, Sorrento Light House becomes the ideal retreat for its family, seeing Wolveridge Architects carefully layer refined detailing with a casual familiarity.
