The Eastbourne House is a multi-level family home built on a steep bush covered hillside overlooking Wellington Harbour. The structural brief demanded much, with free floating suspended edges, a complex load path within the terraced house, and challenging seismic and topographical elements. Carefully cast monolithic concrete forms the foundations about the carport, supporting a more delicate but still robust steel and timber framed structure above, all nestled into the hillside with an anchored concrete retaining wall hidden behind the house. Fine detailing around the internal spiral staircase and curved structural corners completed the satisfying array of challenges on this project. Although architecturally and structurally ambitious, the house functions beautifully as a family home, both robust and restorative, a sanctuary and a theatre for daily life.

Lead Engineer: John Bethell

Region: Eastbourne, Wellington

Size of Project: 270 sqm footprint

Category: Living

Architect: Stevens Lawson Architects

Contractor: Planit Construction