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The jury was unanimous in their
decision to award Light House
the 2015 Wilkinson Award. It
is a remarkable and exquisite
outcome on a tight, complex site
- the edge of a cliff, 80 metres
above the sea, with all but its
ancient eastern side surrounded
by suburbia.
The house sits within a context
that despite having a spectacular
outlook, is exposed and
inhospitable. This is countered
by its beguilingly simple design
diagram, which responds by
separating an undulating outer
shell of modular vertical precast
planks from an operable inner
skin. This gives the appearance
of a singular form, but it is
reactive to localised and specific
conditions around its perimeter.
The shell attenuates the climate
and shields the neighbours,
with precise focus on the
extraordinary landscape. This
makes opportunities for external
inhabitation in accordance with
time and weather.
The expected singular framed
view is replaced by multiple
openings around the entire
perimeter and in the roof plane.
With a constrained and refined
palette, the interiors are warm
and intimate, and interior
detailing reflect humanity and
tactility. It demonstrates an
experienced hand and a deep
understanding of the holistic
intent. The refined and unrefined
are juxtaposed in unexpected
and refreshing ways, and the
assembly of elemental and tough
exterior layers is responsive to
the highly erosive environment.
This home is poetic and
investigative, and a delight to
experience. The design responses
nurture animated spaces on all
scales, through carefully tuned
veils of contrasting weights; a
full spectrum of outlooks. It is a
home of beauty and grace.
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE - HOUSES (NEW)
WILKINSON AWARD
PROJECT TEAM
Practice Team:
John Bohane
Project Architect
Peter Stutchbury
Design Architect
Max Irvine
Structural Engineer
David Watson
Builder
Consultant Team:
Professor Max Irvine
Structural Consultant
JCL Development
Solutions
Hydraulic Consultant
CAB Consulting,
Craig Burton
Landscape Consultant
Construction Team:
David Watson
Building
Builder
e l e v a t i o n e a s t
0
1
2
5m
p e t e r s t u t c h b u r y a r c h i t e c t u r e
Established 1964
The Wilkinson Award was introduced to
recognise exemplary domestic architecture
and named for the Emeritus Professor of
Architecture at the University of Sydney, Leslie
Wilkinson. Wilkinson had won the Sulman
Medal twice – in 1934 for a residential design
and in 1942 for a suburban church.
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