Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects

Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Table, Chair, WindowsQueenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Table, ChairQueenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Sofa, Windows, Facade, PatioQueenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Windows, FacadeQueenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - More Images+ 9

Queenscliff, Australia
  • Architects: Utz Sanby Architects: Utz Sanby Architects - Duncan Sanby, Ray Fung
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  210
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2010
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Marian Riabic

Text description provided by the architects. This new house is built on a tight urban site, perched on the edge of a cliff 100metres above the ocean. The wedge shaped block has a due north-south aspect with neighbouring buildings very close to the boundaries on the east west.

Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Windows, Facade
© Marian Riabic

Large fin walls divide the separate functions of entrance and circulation from the living areas and garden, providing privacy and structural support for the upper level bedroom wing.

Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Table, Chair, Facade, Deck, Handrail
© Marian Riabic

The main living areas of the house are designed to link the garden space with the ocean and to take advantage of the geometry of the block, which widens towards the cliffs’ edge. Careful placement of structural walls, high-level glazing and roof form has created a generous living room with an abundance of natural light, ventilation, privacy and spectacular views.

Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Table, Chair
© Marian Riabic

The house has been designed to be thermally efficient, through the use of concrete floors and masonry walls at ground level to provide thermal mass. Hydronic under-floor heating is used throughout the living areas, to provide winter warmth. The dark floor tiles in the living area, absorb warmth and reduce glare from the ocean in the early morning. High-level louvres and ceiling fans are used to allow natural light and ventilation in all the rooms.

Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Sofa, Windows, Facade, Patio
© Marian Riabic

There are large sub-floor rainwater tanks with an overall capacity of more than 5000 litres, which supply water used for flushing toilets, watering the garden and washing clothes. The house and garden are easy to inhabit and perform extremely economically in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability. This house provides the owners with relaxed and beautiful spaces in which to live, entertain and appreciate the natural world beyond.

Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects - Facade, Windows
© Marian Riabic

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About this office
Cite: "Queenscliff House / Utz Sanby Architects" 29 May 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/138008/queenscliff-house-utz-sanby-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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