Controlled Connection – Dovecote by Atelier Andy Carson

In an area where expansive views can quickly overwhelm, Dovecote by Atelier Andy Carson is settled comfortably within the landscape. Comprised of The Headland and The Range – two complementing structures – the domestic haven pulls the surrounds into balance with its materiality and interior design.

Positioned alone in the South Coast town of Gerringong, Dovecote is butted by lush rolling hills that slope down towards the shoreline. The two structures embody a detailed design brief which stipulated a contemporary main house, The Headland, visually countered by a simpler construction, The Range. While The Headland depicts a clear residential agenda – standing as a telescopic form overlooking the ocean – The Range benefits from a more discreet presentation such that onlookers might mistake the dark, metal-clad building for a farmer’s shed.

The two structures embody a detailed design brief which stipulated a contemporary main house, The Headland, visually countered by a simpler construction, The Range.

Approaching the front of The Headland, angled walls subtly funnel residents into the bedroom pavilion. A hallway then leads onto a living area where the distinct form of the building shapes the sweeping view of the coast, capturing the image with slanted edges. The architecture of the building poses a mature response to the impactful visual character of the site, controlling the connection between the interior of the home and the pressing vistas. Atelier Andy Carson inserts glazing with tact, ensuring that the natural views are framed precisely and appear at convenient points in the spatial plan – as a result, the internal experience of Dovecote retains a surprising quality over time. Outside, a central courtyard forms a protected social space, easing the transition between the firepit and pool.

Retreating from the architectural gestures of The Headland, The Range epitomises formal simplicity. Externally, the building represents an interpretation of the humble Australian shed, screening views of the beach with a long blank wall. To complement the embedded nature of the building in the landscape, Atelier Andy Carson imparts a moody character into the design, reducing the amount of glazing following on from the neighbouring build and adding a suspended fireplace to the living room to establish an intimate atmosphere. Structurally, the house is sectioned into four distinct bays using steel portal frames, enabling residents to discover the unique charms of each orientation.

Retreating from the architectural gestures of The Headland, The Range epitomises formal simplicity.

A built reaction to place, Dovecote is designed to thrive in a harsh coastal climate. The material palette is tailored to robust functionality – metal cladding maintains its structural integrity under salty ocean spray and allows the homes to visually recede into the shadows of the hills. In The Range, copper louvres to the western side enable residents to control access to natural light and views of the farmland. Decks are placed to the north and south so that, on any given day, residents can use the bulk of The Range as a windbreak and utilise passive solar power. A small plunge pool then draws occupants deeper into the external context.

Through the concealment, introduction and reintroduction of striking vistas, Dovecote preserves the special quality of its site. Atelier Andy Carson expertly controls the influence of the natural surrounds, ensuring that the structures are as liveable as they are exciting.