7
S
ited between mountain and sea, the Little
Austinmer beach house is a quiet beauty and
counterpoint to the fingering coastal sprawl.
The Illawarra escarpment is an under-sold star of
Australia’s east-coast. Most locals prefer to remain
small time and low rise. Any mention of high-rise
towers draws disdainful looks. Cloaked in sub-tropical
forest, it’s a breathtaking backdrop and micro-climate
for the chain of small coastal communities. Few are
more sublime than this quiet pocket of surf hardly
more than a hop, skip and a jump from Sydney and
just nicely north of Wollongong.
Many have been attracted to the area, yet not
always with entirely sympathetic results. The Little
Austinmer house is that exception with a special
affinity for place. It helps that architect and builder
— Matt Jolley — are so familiar with the area having
worked on the Austinmer Beach house (‘Guiding
Light’ Vision, 1 July 2013).
Waterfront property is always prized and this
latest addition more so, given its evocative response.
An absence of swagger says plenty about the client
and design/build team who put invention before
bulk and novelty.
RESPONDING TO THIS ENVIRONMENT
AS OPPOSED TO DOMINATING IT,
LEADS TO A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.
Alexander Symes
Architect