Foam

Designed for a prominent corner site in Ocean Grove, Foam responds to the challenge of creating a private, sun-filled family home along a long northern street boundary. The site offered excellent northern exposure, but required a considered approach to privacy, entry and outdoor living.

A defined blade wall separates the garage and entry, establishing a clear arrival sequence and creating a sense of enclosure from the street. Together with a gabion retaining wall, it allows the site to be terraced, turning the fall of the land into an opportunity rather than a constraint.

This terracing creates secluded outdoor areas and allows generous north-facing glazing to bring natural light deep into the living spaces without compromising privacy. The house opens inwardly to its own landscape, creating a calm and protected setting for day-to-day family life.

Small split levels follow the natural fall of the site and give the interior a layered quality. They also create volume through the living spaces, making the main communal areas feel open and generous while retaining a close connection to the ground and garden around them.