Project Update – Cliff Road Duplex

Edmiston Jones, in collaboration with one of our valued clients have designed a dual occupancy dwelling at 82A Cliff Road. The design is inspired by the clients and our own rich connection to the area. The old courthouse, the two neighbouring lighthouses and the beach side amenities we see along our coast have been referenced to create an architecture that acknowledges both the significant land the proposed design sits on and the clients brief. 82A Cliff Road is at the intersection of Cliff Road and the Blue Mile, directly abuts Osborne Park and is visible from all points in the harbour, the lighthouse and Belmore Basin. We understand that the wider community have a sense of collective ownership of sites with visual prominence. This building will be a landmark bookending the southern end of Wollongong’s premier street, Cliff Road. [gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="8697,8686,8687"]   The footprint of the building has been carefully designed to minimise impact on neighbouring dwellings while providing the necessary amenity for the building’s occupants. The narrow confines of the site are a constraint that determined how the building is articulated in relation to setbacks. The southern site boundary abuts Osborne park and while this avoids issues of privacy with a neighbouring development we have been alert to the effect of overshadowing and additional shading, compared to what is already cast by the existing building, is minimal. The proposed building complies with Council’s controls in terms of the maximum height and the proportion of the floor area to the site area, the floor space ratio. Two basement levels of parking ensure that the car spaces are sufficient for the two dwellings and will not add to the already congested Cliff Road and Blue Mile. The 2 street fronting arches unify the building as a single structure rather than the more common layered, compartmentalised building style popular in recent developments. These arches bridge the driveway below and support the setback terrace on the upper floor. The sandstone base uses a vernacular that reflects the neighbouring Old Courthouse and is sympathetic to precedents on Cliff Road. We are confident that this building will stand the test of time and be a positive contribution to the Illawarra’s rich architectural narrative.