Cliff-top seclusion meets surprising scale.
From Doctor Who to Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, an unassuming door that guards hidden depths has captured imaginations for centuries. Here, it was our turn to bring this concept to life.
Perched on a steep cliff-top site just outside of Hobart, you’ll find Midway Point House. Step down through the front door, through the split-level living area, and ‘that’ view is revealed over Pittwater and kunanyi/Mt Wellington beyond. With a considered approach to the site, we created a light, airy and modest home defined by its place overlooking the water.
CLIENT
Private
IMAGES
Adam Gibson
LAND OF
muwinina
COLLABORATORS
Adam Johnson Building
WD Bryan Joinery House
AWARDS
Midway Point House balances emphasis on water views and natural light with a sense of seclusion and elemental protection. Translucent polycarbonate was a huge help in this, allowing northern light to flood the living area, yet also offering visual and acoustic privacy from the street without the need for curtains.
Timber screening on the north-west facade grants a sense of privacy and seclusion. Then, a ribbon-window wraps its way around the south-western side of the house to heighten the panoramic views while keeping glazing, and potential heat gain, to a minimum.
There’s an undeniable sense of space and warmth here. Tasmanian oak floorboards and carefully crafted stairs feel inviting. The full-length sundeck and open-plan living area draw your eye to the views stretching into the distance. And perhaps you breathe a little deeper.
Compact yet complete.
Constraints as opportunities.
With Midway Point House’s challenges came silver linings, too. Our first builder unfortunately went into receivership days after the deposit was paid, but the second delivered both cost savings and an exceptional standard. Height limitations sparked the idea for split-level high ceilings. And a modest budget guided the deliberate and enigmatic simple external form.
The result is a wondrous mix of open and closed, expansive and warm. Bathed in the dappled living room sunlight, importantly, it feels like home.
Midway Point House unfolds. From the street, it appears small and private. Enter, and you’re welcomed into a generously sized three-bedroom home.
Our site-specific approach offered a few challenges: to build within the tight building envelope in a way that felt respectful of the residential surroundings, to offer a sense of privacy and reclusiveness while we also captured the northern sun, and to make the most of the western view's natural splendour while minimising overheating and glare.
Our response was to create a tightly woven home that plays with scale. Featuring split-levels, double height ceilings and cleverly designed openings, our design deliberately blurs the scale of the building.
Looks can be deceiving.
