Werri Beach House in NSW by Atelier Andy Carson.

Pitched on a cliff at Werri Beach just past Kiama on the south coast of NSW, this new home by Atelier Andy Carson has been designed to celebrate its airy and rugged seaside setting. To one side of the sprawling 150-acre coastal block lies the ocean, cliffs, wind, salt, and sand. To the west are rolling green paddocks peppered with dairy cows. For Atelier Andy Carson, the breathtaking backdrop and 180-degree views required a considered approach—framing dramatic segments of the wide, far-reaching vista in order to breath it all in.

The four bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom main home is connected by three separate pavilions, wrapped around a protected courtyard. The design creates thoughtful glimpses of the environment beyond—and a dedicated storm-viewing room pays tribute to the drama of extreme weather fronts creeping up from the ocean.

Created for the daughter of art patron and architecture enthusiast Judith Neilson, Beau Neilson, and her husband Jeffrey Simpson, the brief was for an elegant, comfortable residence to suit all conditions. The property also includes a two-bedroom guest house, inspired by a farm shed— two verandahs envelop the home on the north and south, providing opportunities to chase the sun or seek refuge from harsh winds. Large copper operable louvres on the western façade can be adjusted to any angle, or fully open to light and views. Visitors are encouraged to slow down from arrival—the home is accessed only by foot.

[Images courtesy of Atelier Andy Carson. Photography by Michael Nicholson.]