Wawu at Woy Woy

Wawu is the Yalanji term for a person's spirit, and the name captures what this house is about. Sitting on the edge of Brisbane Water at Woy Woy, the site offered sweeping views across the water but came with serious constraints. Flood level requirements meant the habitable floor had to be elevated well above natural ground, and keeping the roofline low enough to respect the streetscape while still framing those views required careful sectional design.

The split skillion roof was my solution. By splitting the roof into two planes at different heights, I created clerestory windows along the northern edge that allow winter sunlight deep into the living spaces. The lower roof plane to the south keeps the building's bulk modest from the street. From inside, the effect is dramatic: the ceiling lifts toward the water, drawing your eye out through full height glazing to Brisbane Water beyond.

The plan is oriented to capture both the water views and the northern sun simultaneously, which on this site happen to pull in slightly different directions. Living spaces open onto a deck that steps down toward the water's edge, where a private jetty extends into the bay near Lions Park. Between the house and the water, a plunge pool sits in a sheltered courtyard, protected from the southerly winds that can sweep across the bay.

Materials were chosen for durability in a waterfront environment. Salt air, occasional flooding and intense sun all had to be factored into every specification. The palette is restrained: timber, concrete and glass, letting the water and sky provide the colour. Ian, the client, wanted a house that felt calm and grounded despite its elevated position, and I think the low horizontal lines and natural materials achieve exactly that.