We thoroughly enjoyed all the diverse challenges of this project. The site has undoubtedly the most spectacular location of any site we have ever worked on. Situated opposite Saunders Rocks and next to Saunders steps in Bantry Bay, this was one of the last remaining open properties on the Beach Road strip. All the surrounding apartment building and double dwellings were well established. Due to the high land cost, our brief was to maximise the development envelope of the property. This included blasting a lower basement into solid rock whilst carefully monitoring the movement of the neighbouring buildings.

 

We loved the complexity of the building process. Instead of building from the bottom up, we built the ground level first and then excavated the Upper and Lower Basement from this platform. On a small site, this approach called for some very innovative solutions from the geotechnical and structural engineers. High ground water levels, as a result of the proximity to the sea and mountain, added another element that had to be carefully managed at all times.

 

Both the west sun and the ocean views were competing for design attention on the main elevations and this was resolved by introducing timber sliding shutters in an aluminium frame and using block out curtains internally. The roof terrace houses a swimming pool with a clear glass end on the ocean side.