The Bower

2013 Cannal Country / Manly, NSW

Our fourth project for these clients, the house sits on a dramatic north-facing site overlooking Cabbage Tree Bay and the Bower surf break at Manly, with views to Long Reef and the Pacific Ocean. Our client’s brief called for a house suited to a work-at-home couple, their three Gen Y sons (and girlfriends), future grandchildren and a very large extended family. It was also important that the house connected to the garden and multiple outdoor spaces for family gatherings.

Our response is a dwelling that opens to the ocean, views and sun to the north, and provides private and protected outdoor spaces to the south, as respite from the often strong summer nor’easter.

The house utilises the thermal mass of concrete and cavity brick construction to moderate summer temperatures and store winter sun. Windows and doors are double glazed. Heating is provided via a gas-fired solar-boosted hydronic system, where warm water is piped through the concrete slab floors.

Three finely crafted folded timber framed roofs respect both the scale of the street and ocean promenade, enhance public domain views and complement the built and natural setting of this unique place.

Project Team

Sam Crawford, Claire McCaughan, Lionel Teh, Raymond Teo, Wendy James, Ellie Gutman

Builder

Coddington Constructions

Consultant Team

Land Surveyors – Mitchell Land Surveyors
Structural Engineer – James Sutherland, Northrop
Quantity Surveyor – Matt Saunderson, QS Plus
Landscape Architect – Glenn Murray, Melissa Wilson Landscape Architects
Geotechnical – Don Katauskas
Environmental – Faunascope
Bushfire – Bushfire Hazard Solutions
Hydraulic – Glenn Haig & Associates

Photography

Brett Boardman