Wye River House

Wye River House
© Paul Hermes

WYE RIVER HOUSE

MGAO

CATEGORY
Houses

LOCATION
Wye River, Australia

ARCHITECTS
MGAO

AREA
195 m²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Paul Hermes

YEAR
2018

MANUFACTURERS
AutoDesk, Fisher & Paykel

On Christmas day 2015, an out of control bush fire swept through Wye River, a small township located along the Great Ocean Road. 116 homes were lost in the fire. This project replaces one of these homes.

Wye River House
© Paul Hermes
Wye River House
© Paul Hermes

The site is located on a steeply sloping block, obliquely facing Bass Straight. Perched high on the hill side, the house sits where the tree canopy once stood, anxiously awaiting the regrowth of the surrounding bushland.

The buildings form loosely references the many of the local beach shacks built during the 60's-70's, The rational forms of these structures, expressed with simple construction methods and common materials produce a modest, humble quality to the village.

Wye River House
© Paul Hermes
Wye River House
© Paul Hermes

The reference can be seen through the use of a Skillion Roof, cantilevered balconies, simple rectangular footprint, clear structural approach, and continuing the external cladding to the ground - which creates a slightly monolithic form (like a little beach shack tower) and highlights the steep slope of the site.

The addition of large areas of glazing to frame the amazing views, and the need to clad the structure in BAL40 compliant materials are possibly the only 'modern' additions to this old typology.

Wye River House
© Paul Hermes
Wye River House
© Paul Hermes

This projects aims to continue that legacy. Upon approach, the building presents an impenetrable skin, yet once inside the building gradually opens itself up, revealing the stunning view toward the ocean and the village beyond, seen through a foreground of mature trees which the clients fought to save.


Wye River House
Ground Floor Plan
Wye River House
1st Floor Plan