10/30 HOUSE
Pearl Beach, NSW
This four-bedroom family residence sits on a flood and bushfire-prone site where planning constraints reduced the buildable area to just 12.5% of the 1,632m² lot. Flood setbacks, side boundaries, and road frontage requirements left only 206m² available for construction on the steepest section of the site.
The garage, entry, and bedroom level align with street level, while main living, dining, kitchen, and outdoor deck sit lower to follow the minimum flood level contour at 6.0m AHD set by council. The plan geometry responds to two conditions: 10 degrees parallel to the street, 30 degrees perpendicular to true north and parallel with the flood line. The name references these planning angles.
Ground floor construction uses concrete slab with PGH Morada Blanco face cavity brickwork extending to underside of first floor, providing both flood protection and thermal mass. Deep overhangs shade the ground floor in summer while allowing full winter sun penetration. In-slab hydronic heating supplements passive solar performance.
First floor construction shifts to insulated timber framing and suspended concrete slabs to garages, with James Hardie ExoTec Vero cladding over ventilated cavity and Colorbond roof. This hybrid approach addresses flood requirements while maintaining thermal efficiency.
The western wall extends on ground floor to create semi-enclosed covered outdoor living, blocking views to neighboring properties while directing sight lines to bushland and creating privacy despite the constrained footprint. Large sliding doors and entry louvre window enable cross-ventilation control.
Off-form concrete features in kitchen island, BBQ bench, and living room entertainment unit. Polished concrete floors extend throughout ground floor interior and exterior. Solar array installed with provision for future battery storage.
Project Details
Location: Pearl Beach, NSW
Completed: 2022
Builder: Glenn McFarlane
Structural Engineer: Thitchener Consulting
Bushfire Assessment: Clarke Dowdle & Associates
Photography: Luke Butterly
Awards:
Commendation, Residential Architecture – Houses (New), Newcastle Architecture Awards (2024)