Gregory Burgess Architects

Burraworrin (aboriginal word 'magpie') Residence is located on a site between Frankston -Flinders Road and the coast. It is situated approximately 400 metres from the main road. The furthest point of the house is 30 metres from where the site drops significantly to the sea. The property is relatively flat with undulating landscape of pasture grass and full exposure to weather. Similarly, the house flows with the undulating landscape minimizing views from the main road. The highest point above existing natural ground level is 8 metres where the lookout peaks out of the building to panoramic views of the coastline of Shoreham, and across Western Point bay to Phillip Island.

The long sinuous gravel road snakes along the contours of the land to the crest of the property. The journey continually captures the view of the surrounding landscape and approach of the residence.

The house is designed to accommodate four related families. The residence is sited to maximize the full potential of solar gain and protection against prevailing winds. The house opens to the north where grassed terraces, a swimming pool and sundeck are protected from the southwestern winds. From all rooms within the house there are directed views of the surrounding coastlines.

Conceptually the house is both refuge and eyrie-a seagull bobbing on a giant swell. Refuge-from the blustering and capricious Bass Straight weather- it toes into its site, it has well protected courtyards – sanctums. Eyrie- birds eyeing the coast North, South, Westernport Bay and Phillip Island to the East.

The house carries vague evocations of a stranded hulk, trawler or tanker riding a monster wave – the mystery, the excitement. As time passes the timber bleaches reinforcing this metaphor.

Burraworrin’s living spaces are fluidly inter-connected like water dancing around the vestibule. I t acts as axis for the daily life cycle of the house to revolve around. The breakfast area receives the morning sun, the pool & terrace the midday sun and the afternoon light can be soaked up on the verandah overlooking the internalized courtyard. Finally the day is complete with its bedroom tail more snug, intimate, and battened down.

The anchor of the dynamic torque of the house is the vestibule. The inner concentration and culmination of the long limestone wall gathered in from the wider site to create a radiant fulcrum, celebrating light meeting gravity, the interchange of family dwelling.

The building’s lightweight timber frame construction respects the sensitive site, and its materials are selected to be low maintenance and durable in these exposed coastal conditions: galvanised steel, plantation hardwoods radially-sawn (producing useable lumber at much greater efficiency and with less potential warping than conventional techniques). The timber cladding is allowed to weather naturally to a beautiful silver-grey, and can be simply and directly replaced in the future as needed.
Passive environmental design is incorporated in careful orientation to catch or protect from the sun and by encouraging natural cross-ventilation. Active systems include sweep fans and the use of solar energy for hot water and swimming pool heating.
 

The long sinuous gravel road snakes along the contours of the land to the crest of the property. The journey continually captures the view of the surrounding landscape and approach of the residence.

The house is designed to accommodate four related families. The residence is sited to maximize the full potential of solar gain and protection against prevailing winds. The house opens to the north where grassed terraces, a swimming pool and sundeck are protected from the southwestern winds. From all rooms within the house there are directed views of the surrounding coastlines.

Conceptually the house is both refuge and eyrie-a seagull bobbing on a giant swell. Refuge-from the blustering and capricious Bass Straight weather- it toes into its site, it has well protected courtyards – sanctums. Eyrie- birds eyeing the coast North, South, Westernport Bay and Phillip Island to the East.

The house carries vague evocations of a stranded hulk, trawler or tanker riding a monster wave – the mystery, the excitement. As time passes the timber bleaches reinforcing this metaphor.

Burraworrin’s living spaces are fluidly inter-connected like water dancing around the vestibule. I t acts as axis for the daily life cycle of the house to revolve around. The breakfast area receives the morning sun, the pool & terrace the midday sun and the afternoon light can be soaked up on the verandah overlooking the internalized courtyard. Finally the day is complete with its bedroom tail more snug, intimate, and battened down.

The anchor of the dynamic torque of the house is the vestibule. The inner concentration and culmination of the long limestone wall gathered in from the wider site to create a radiant fulcrum, celebrating light meeting gravity, the interchange of family dwelling.

The building’s lightweight timber frame construction respects the sensitive site, and its materials are selected to be low maintenance and durable in these exposed coastal conditions: galvanised steel, plantation hardwoods radially-sawn (producing useable lumber at much greater efficiency and with less potential warping than conventional techniques). The timber cladding is allowed to weather naturally to a beautiful silver-grey, and can be simply and directly replaced in the future as needed.
Passive environmental design is incorporated in careful orientation to catch or protect from the sun and by encouraging natural cross-ventilation. Active systems include sweep fans and the use of solar energy for hot water and swimming pool heating.