Enclave House

A Resilient Dwelling in Sydney's Pittwater Accessible only by boat, Enclave House is situated within the serene Pittwater waterway, surrounded by weathered sandstone ridges and headlands. This unique location, positioned directly on the edge of a saltwater tidal estuary, offers a tranquil setting that is both secluded and intimately connected to the natural environment. The house replaces an old asbestos shack, transforming the site into a robust and resilient dwelling that harmonizes with its surroundings. Anchored within an existing clearing, the house establishes a platform embedded in the slope, forming the primary organizing datum of the plan. This platform provides essential flat ground on the steep site, with children's bedrooms below and a central room oriented toward the foreshore. The bedrooms are housed in raised cabins, forming edges above the communal area, while the fluted concrete slab soffit offers thermal mass and structural rigidity, creating a quiet, cave-like interior. Above the platform, lightweight roofs shelter enclosed rooms arranged around a central courtyard, the primary area of occupation that directly connects to the landscape. The design omits a conventional living room, instead distributing living spaces across the house and landscape, offering varied degrees of enclosure. A breezeway through the site is created by the courtyard and kitchen pavilion, with a loggia behind the kitchen providing grounding. The architecture is informed by restraint, prioritizing the essential over the superfluous. The roof, subtly proportioned to reduce visual presence, draws light deep into the plan, while a repetitive timber frame adds rhythm and tactility to the interiors. The roof becomes the fifth elevation, clad in corrugated copper for longevity, acting as a protective armature.

Design Highlights

Platform embedded in slope for structural organization Central courtyard as primary area of occupation Fluted concrete slab soffit for thermal mass and acoustics Lightweight roofs and repetitive timber frame for rhythm Corrugated copper roof as protective armature

Key Facts