Elanora House Project Book

aspect architecture

2
elanora house

the project.................................. 4
site.............................................. 6
concept.................................... 10
design...................................... 18
construction.............................. 46
completion............................... 56
materials and finishes................ 82
project team............................. 84
awards..................................... 86
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the project

The site for Elanora House sits just behind the sand
dunes of Pottsville Beach in northern New South
Wales. The vacant site has for many years provided a
green visual link to the dunes and beach beyond from
the established residential neighbourhood of Pottsville
Beach. A key driver in the design of the Elanora
House was to preserve this green link between the
beach and the urban areas.
Our client’s programme was to provide a place
which in the short term could be used as a holiday
house and in the longer term would become their
permanent residence. Both elements of this brief
therefore required a solution allowing comfortable
living for just two, or the considered and easy
occupation for extended family or friends of up to as
many as 20 additional people.
The solution was to split the site and building mass
into two staggered pavilions. This allows a clear visual
continuation of the green dunal vegetation and high
Norfolk pines through the site, between the buildings
and into the suburbs. Additional key planting was
added in this gorge between the building masses to
reinforce this green link and provide a softer, more
open façade to the street.
A further key consideration was for protection from
the elements. The staggering of the pavilions (the
south pavilion is pushed to the eastern frontage of
the site, and the north pavilion is pushed to the west)
along with the creation of a careful ground floor
plane sited below the existing dune height, creates
a north east facing yard and pool space protected
from the strong southerlies but open to the cooling
summer northerly winds, and a western yard which
both addresses the street and provides a buffer for
the building to the street. The winter sun soaked
northern yard flows onto and takes a quasi common
possession of the public dunal zone. This space then
becomes a vibrant social space for the various homes
fronting this area and is used for sunset drinks, cricket
matches and general social interaction.
The south pavilion is considered the ‘house’. The
primary living and entertaining spaces along with the
master suite and study occupy this side of the project.
The spaces are compact yet flow seamlessly into the
north eastern yard. The northern pavilion allows
expansion for family and friends with a series of bunk
style bedrooms and a second common living space,
with the entire pavilion easily shut down.
The landscaping for the project was a key
consideration in our design for the site. A landscape
designer was brought on board early in the design
process and became part of the conceptual discussion
developing the breakdown of the site and creation of
the green ribbon through the site and ultimately, the
heart of the project.
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site

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concept

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11

TO BEACH
DUNE VEGETATION
COOLING NORTH
EASTERLY BREEZES
TO CREEK
COOLING SOUTH
EASTERLY BREEZES
WINTER SUNRISE
JUNE 22
SUMMER SUNRISE
DEC 22
MIN. SETBACK
1500
MIN. SETBACK
1500
BOUNDARY | 180°41'30" 16.764m
NEIGHBOURING
PROPERTY
BOUNDARY | 90°40' 33.553m
NEIGHBOURING
PROPERTY
NEIGHBOURING
PROPERTY
MIN. SETBACK
4500
BOUNDARY | 90°40' 33.553m
BOUNDARY | 180°41'30" 16.764m
WINTER SUNSET
JUNE 22
LOCATION
OF POWER
POLE IN
ROAD
RESERVE
COOL
WESTERLY
WINDS
SUMMER SUNSET
DEC 22
ELANORA AVENUE
33 ELANORA AVE
31 ELANORA AVE SUBJECT SITE - 29 ELANORA AVE
27 ELANORA AVE 25 ELANORA AVE
12

TO BEACH
DUNE VEGETATION
TO CREEK
COOLING NORTH-
EASTERLY BREEZES
COOLING SUMMER
BREEZES
OUTDOOR
LIVING
SEMI-
ENCLOSED
DECK
POOL
PRIMARY
EXTERNAL
LIVING
NEIGHBOURING
PROPERTY
SEMI-
ENCLOSED
DECK
ENTRY
CORRIDOR
MAIN
HOUSE
NEIGHBOURING
PROPERTY
NEIGHBOURING
PROPERTY
MAIN
HOUSE
LANDSCAPE
CORRIDOR
CARPORT
YARD
ENTRY
ELANORA AVENUE
33 ELANORA AVE
31 ELANORA AVE SUBJECT SITE - 29 ELANORA AVE
27 ELANORA AVE 25 ELANORA AVE
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design

a. South Building
b. North Building
c. Carport
d. Lanai
e. Pool
f. Yard
g. Coastal dunes
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
c
b
e
d.
f
g
f
a
N
0 2 10 20 m
1:200
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Carport
Garage
Laundry
Cellar
Stair
Yard
Lounge
Powder Room
Store
Daybed
Kitchen
Deck
Entry Deck
Living
Kitchenette
Bathroom
Bedroom
Bunks
Pool
Lanai/ BBQ
Ensuite
Sitting/Study
Void
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
w.
N
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
0 1
1:100
20
Previous Page: Site Plan
Right: Basement Floor Plan

a
c
b
f
d
e
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
21

Carport
Garage
Laundry
Cellar
Stair
Yard
Lounge
Powder Room
Store
Daybed
Kitchen
Deck
Entry Deck
Living
Kitchenette
Bathroom
Bedroom
Bunks
Pool
Lanai/ BBQ
Ensuite
Sitting/Study
Void
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
w.
N
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
0 1
1:100
22 Ground Floor Plan

s
q
p
n
l
t
e
r
i
o
e
m
f
f
g
i
k
l
e
h
c
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
23

Carport
Garage
Laundry
Cellar
Stair
Yard
Lounge
Powder Room
Store
Daybed
Kitchen
Deck
Entry Deck
Living
Kitchenette
Bathroom
Bedroom
Bunks
Pool
Lanai/ BBQ
Ensuite
Sitting/Study
Void
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
w.
N
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
0 1
1:100
24 First Floor Plan

q
p
i
q
l
r
e
h
r
l
w
e
u
q
w
v
x
N
0 1 5 m
1:100
25

1:100
0 1
5
26 North Elevation

10 m
27

1:100
0 1
5
28 East Elevation

10 m
29

0 1
1:100
30 South Elevation

5 m
31

1:100
0 1
5
32 West Elevation

m
33

1:100
0 1
5
34 Northern Section

10 m
35

1:100
0 1
5
36 Southern Section

10 m
37

1:100
0 1 5 m
38
Northern Living Section

39

1:100
0 1 5m
40
Western Living Section

41

1:100
0 1 5 m
42
Eastern Living Section

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Left: Elanora Avenue test render
Right: View from the dunes test render

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construction

48
Previous Page: Installing
the feature African Aloe
tree.
Above: Preparing the site
Right: Setting up the
pads for the slabs and
retaining walls

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50
Above: Framing stage in
the south wing
Middle: Freshly installed
plywood sheeting
Right: Construction of the
awning and screen

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Left Upper: View from the first
floor on the southern wing
Left Middle: Client and builder
discussing detail(s).
Left Below: View of the
pavilions before the timber
detailing
Above: Future kitchen views
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Upper Left: Testing the block
work fence pattern
Left Middle: Selecting the
landscape boulders
Far Left: the southern wing
picture window
Above: The building mass
from the street
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completion

Surrounding streetscapes
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Left: Entry stairs and the
northern pavilion
Right: The southern
pavilion

Internal landscaping and
green space between the two
buildings
62

Left: Dawn breaking and peering
into the kitchen
Top right: Feature flora in the home’s
courtyard
Bottom right: Timber screening and
subtle details around the courtyard
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A favourite shot of the projectdawn
seeping into the home
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Left: The kitchen as a space
for community and gathering
Middle: Timber screening
softens the building forms
and creates privacy and
protection

Left: Feature African Aloe
tree bringing nature into the
home
Top right: Views through the
northern pavilion
Bottom right: Connections
between the deck and
interior
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From the seat to the ocean; peering out through the yard
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Left: Guest room fit out and timber
details
Centre: Timber connections- drawing
the home into the bathroom through
details
Right: The living room- a communal
space for comfort and connection

Top left: Timber details
Bottom left: Family
gathering’
Right spread: Master
bedroom and private
spaces- revealing the
majesty of the view
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Left: The home at
daybreak
Right: Pandanus
frames the green
connections between
the home and dunes
79

The home in the soft light of
daybreak
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materials and finishes

Concrete flooring.......................................................................................................................................................... Polished Concrete Floors Australia: Polished concrete flooring and plinths
Internal floor, concrete.................................................................................................................................................................................Polished Concrete Floors Australia: Polished concrete
Internal floor, timber......................................................................................................................................................................Queensland Timber Flooring: Spotted Gum Tongue & Groove
External flooring................................................................................................................................................................................................... Marshall Timber Traders: Spotted Gum decking
Internal walls, plasterboard............................................................................................................................................................................................ Painted plasterboard: Resene - ‘Alabaster’
Internal walls, timber...............................................................................................................................................................The Bunker Plywood Supplies: Plywood, Osmo PolyXX matte finish
Internal walls, wet area tiling................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Elite Bathroom and Tiles
External walls, cladding...............................................................................................................................................................................Cemintel: Barestone cladding system - ‘Natural Finish’
External walls, render............................................................................................................................................................................................................... Porters Lime wash - ‘Volcanic Ash’
Windows and glazing........................................................................................Aluminium Frames: ‘Monument’, Timber Frames: Spotted Gum finished in Sikkens Cetol HLS ‘Super Natural Teak’
Cabinets, benchtops............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Stainless steel
Cabinets, bench........................................................................................................................................................................................................ Owner fabricated: ‘Rosewood’ island bench
Cabinets, fronts........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Laminex - ‘Traceless Black Matte’
Cabinets, splashbacks.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Stainless steel
Roof.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Stramit Speed Deck Ultra - ’Monument:’
Stairs.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Spotted Gum timber
Feature screens, timber.....................................................................................................................................................................................................Spotted Gum with stainless steel frame
Feature screens, steel.......................................................................................................................................................................................................Residual off cut mild steel metal screens
Appliances.................................................................................................................................................................... Brisbane Appliance Sales: Neff, Qasair, Lieberr, Fisher & Paykel, Spacegrill
Sanitary..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Sink and Bathroom Shop
Custom basins.............................................................................................................................................................. Owner fabricated: Laminated solid timber in ‘Camforlaurel’ and ‘Sassafras’
Hot water system........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Instant gas hot water
Lighting, fittings..............................................................................................................................................................................................Owner fabricated: Timber and steel custom fittings
Lighting..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Beacon Lighting
Fans.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Big Ass Fans
Door hardware...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Stainless steel
Solar power............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Style Electrical: solar 5.0kW system
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project team

Design:
Architecture:
Matt Cooper
Larissa Searle
Marguerite Pollard
Takuya Watanabe
Daniel Evans
Structural Engineer:
Glynn Tucker Partners
Surveyor:
Landsurv Surverys
Building Certifier:
Coastline Certification
Styling:
Cactus Hill
Landscape Architects:
Kim Nelson
Photography:
Fatfish Photography
Publicity:
Amy Cooper
Scott Mason
Sub-Contractors:
Builder:
DiNardo Constructions
Concreter:
SEQ Concreting Contractors and DiNardo Building
Solutions
Plumber:
Anflo
Electrician:
Green Electrical
Air Conditioning:
Air Management Solutions
Integrated A/V:
MSS Security
Carpenter:
DiNardo Building Solutions
Cabinetmaker:
JNI Interiors
Windowmaker:
Monument
Tiler:
Arundale Tilers
Painter:
Zenex Painting Group
Renderer:
Who Plastering Pty Ltd
Stairs:
Ideal Stairs & Handrails Pty Ltd
Metalwork/ Screens:
Grand Ideas
Roofer:
Southside Roofing
Landscaper:
Dragon Trees Australia, Burringbar Nursery
Pool Builder:
Advantage Pools
Pool Fence:
Evolv Glass Hardware
Curtains and Blinds:
Cucci
Concrete Benchtops:
DiNardo Building Solutions
Timber Supplier:
Hudson Building Supplies, Colonial Restoration Supplies,
Mullumbimby Timber Slab Factory and Bunker Ply
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awards

New Houses 2018 Award - Australian Institute of Architects
NSW Country Division
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aspect architecture

our practice & our team
our philosophy
our vision
Established by Matt Cooper in 2000, Aspect
Architecture is an intentionally small, efficient, people
orientated practice situated only metres from the
beautiful beaches of Northern NSW’s Kingscliff.
We’re a friendly, focused, and experienced tight-knit
group who work in various contexts. Our completed
work has included house renovations, new houses,
attatched housing, feasability studies, apartment
complexes, commercial fit-outs, and master studies,
and we collaborate closely with our wide network
of town planners, developers, clients, engineers,
designers and builders to achieve the delivery of
exemplary and trustworthy service in a local setting.
We believe that architecture plays a fundamental
role in the way we experience place, and thus life.
We reject architecture for architectures sake and
focus on the creation of spaces that are beautiful,
unique and function in a personable way, meaning
that each project responds meaningfully to its setting
and occupants. From a project brief, each house is
crafted to the needs, expectations, and arguably most
importantly, the personalities of each client. We value
quality of craftmanship, collaboration, creativity and
responsiveness, and open dialogue alongside a spirit
of communication and collaboration.
As architects, we are uniquely positioned to contribute
to every stage of the design process, from conception
to completion. We strive to engage with enthusiastic
clients who respect the value an architect can bring
to a project and create an open and friendly work
environment where architect-client relationships can
flourish, ultimately enriching people’s lives through the
creation of considered and exceptional architecture.
We combine our goal of excellence in the office with
a balanced lifestyle amongst friends and family, and
take time to enjoy the process from beginning to end.
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elanora house

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