COASTAL CONNECTION
— A Drought-Tolerant Coastal Belonging 2019
Location: Awabakal Country, Catherine Hill Bay
Atelier Photography, Shutter Project Photography
This ocean-front property needed a versatile landscape to reflect both the location and architecture of the house.
“Native coastal shrubs, grasses and groundcovers”
Materials chosen for each of the property’s four functional spaces anchor the surrounding rugged landscape, with sandstone boulders, gold decomposed granite and recycled timber reminiscent of the historical Catherine Hill Bay wharf.
On arrival, sculptural recycled timber battens blend privacy with visibility to create a unique facade while adhering to estate frontage guidelines. A decomposed granite path leads you on a journey throughout the property, stopping at two central hidden courtyards, before finishing in the backyard at a custom sandstone fire pit, ready for swapping stories over the flames.
Throughout the four outdoor spaces are a mix of native coastal shrubs, grasses and groundcovers, set off by our favourite Queensland bottle tree and the silver-green foliage of 50 year old black olive trees. Each plant is equipped to tackle the coastal salt spray and winds, while the area’s poor quality clay soil was ameliorated and excavated to combat long-term drainage problems.
The result is a multifaceted landscape instigating limitless possibilities. Designated functional spaces to live and play, balanced with planted areas that maximise space. The rhythmic sculptural screen and eclectic plant selection deliver a unique design that plays by the estate rules.
Plant Palette
Queensland bottle tree (brachychiton rupestris)
Olive tree (olea europaea)
Kidney grass (dichondra repens)
Fraser island apple (acronychia imperforata)
Mat-rush (lomandra spp.)
Knobby club rush (ficinia nodosa)
Lilly pilly (acmena smithii minor)
Coast banksia (banksia sp.)
Australian tree fern (cyathea cooperi)
Native violet (viola banksii)
Material palette
Recycled timber batten screen
Sandstone block fire pit
Gold decomposed granite
Sandstone boulders