Tree House is sited in the bush fringe of Separation Creek, perched on a steep forested hillside above the Great Ocean Road. The site enjoys a unique combination of bush environment with intimate views of Separation Creek, the beach and the Wye River Peninsula beyond.

The steep site, landscape controls and landslip potential resulted in a limited building envelope. These constraints were turned into opportunities, resulting in a sensitive yet sculptural response.

The house minimises its footprint by echoing a tree with branches, where rooms cantilever from a central trunk taking advantage of views, access and aspect.

Its materiality draws on the local vernacular of 1950s fibro shacks with cement sheet lining and expressed battens. The cement sheet is painted two tones of green to merge the building with the surrounding hillside and vegetation.

Country:

Eastern Maar

Year:

2009

Status:

Completed

Gross Floor Area:

220 sqm

Consultants:

Wessel Drilling, Ocean Road Landscaping

Builder:

Spence Construction

Photography:

John Gollings