House Llandudno

This unique minimalist beach house is set into nature, built with cast off-shutter concrete and other sustainable materials. The bold contemporary forms are a passive design solutions for this Atlantic coast home. The brief was to create a home that responds to the site conditions and integrates with the surrounding nature. Other than the Main House, the accommodation required a 25m pool, gymnasium and a separated space to accommodate visiting guests. A minimalist clean lined contemporary style home suited the international clients who already had an appreciation for contemporary Japanese architecture. The Cape Atlantic Coast has both picturesque idyllic days and inclement weather that takes a toll on the coastal architecture. Corrosive sea air and challenging site terrain pose additional challenges in designing for this location. Given the location’s extreme latitude, orientation is critical as well. These factors shape the unique architecture of this building. To achieve the ideal form of the building, it was necessary to create deep, unsupported eaves that could endure the harsh Cape storms without obstructing the stunning ocean views. In response, Bomax designed a cantilevered concrete form, meeting both structural and natural light requirements. The form is specifically oriented to the late morning sun over Judas Peak while being closed off to the reflective sun from the West. The building has two structures that are connected by an underground funicular that was tunnelled into the granite bedrock. The main house is used for owners while the separated annex can be independently occupied by visiting family and friends. The duplication of forms is separated by a 25m rim-flow pool. The forms create rhythm and balance while reducing scale and assisting the design to comply with height and bulk restrictions. The razor edge off-shutter concrete eaves form creates a sense of weightlessness, a unique statuesque presence is felt on site as the forms appear to elegantly cantilever over the horizon. The building integrates the surrounding nature, it appears to be one with its environment. Sustainable materials were carefully selected, the 25m rim-flow pool is entirely tiled with black lava stone, swimming in this pool feels like a natural mountain experience. The home appears to float over this body of reflection. The buildings presence on site is emotive, serene and peaceful yet bold and dominant. There is a balanced juxtaposition between the concrete forms and the integrated nature. The concrete architecture formwork is a design response to the aggressive Cape Atlantic storms which pound this coast through the winter months. The superstructure is designed to perform with a passive response to the climate. The forms are minimalist and the interior specifically simple. The views of the Cape mountains and Atlantic Ocean all round are immersive. The natural feeling is enhanced by the tactile feel of natural worn and brushed materials used to simulate the granite boulders, sand and driftwood of the beach below.