Dynamic Duo

Two independent L-shaped structures with very different characters combine to form a home that perches delicately on its sloping tropical site

- Paul Taylor

It’s not unusual for a client to ask their architect to design a house that’s unique – and then have second thoughts when the first concepts are produced. Architect John Bulcock experienced just the opposite when working with the client on the new home featured here.

“He was very open and adventurous,” says Bulcock. “He didn’t want anything generic, though he didn’t want things to be different just for the sake of it. So he was pushing me, and there were times when I had to rein in ideas that would have been impracticable. It’s the first time that’s happened to me.”

This interplay between architect and client needed to resolve a major challenge – the site fell 11.5m from the road that wraps around two sides of the site.

“The house is designed to float over the site, touching it lightly and allowing the natural slope to remain, while making the most of the rainforest views.”