Qualia is one of those rare projects where the best of all worlds combine to make a whole greater than its parts . When the owner approached us, the initial goal was to create a house that embodied the best possible technology and materials currently available while highlighting the best of its waterfront location and unique site to ensure that the quality of living was unsurpassed.
The initial form takes inspiration from docked boats along a pier that harken back to the clients childhood and his grandfathers boat. The two distinct sides slip by each other around the central exterior dock like courtyard where our gaze is focussed out to the bay and the Winchelsea Islands in the distance.
Upon arrival, one is met by two extra tall doors that open up to a double height entry centred by an incredible hearth. The back of the hearth has a window that looks out to the ocean and creates an interesting juxtaposition of fire and water and sets up the anticipation of the house and landscape.
These designs are slowly revealed like sets in a play where Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Design co-mingle to create luscious textures, rich materiality and specific instances of delight. The term “qualia” refers to experience as both a private and subjective experience and this house reveals the sensory and tactile impression through these moments.
The deliberate path continues and passes a curved stair that reaches out towards an exterior waterfall that mysteriously appears and then disappears as the back drop outside. Finally one is led into the Great Room that continues out towards the vista. Throughout the house are special moments that play with the view and your placement in it always anticipating and revealing aspects of nature around you. This culminates when you step outside to the centre of the courtyard. A large jade boulder, chosen by the owner, completes the square and draws you forward where a large set of stairs descend you to the ocean.
Building Design: David Pritchard with PRAI
Interior Design: HB Design
Landscape Design: Paul Sangha Creative
General Contractor: TS Williams
Landscape Contractor: Joslin Enterprises
Photography:
– Exteriors: Peter Powles Photography
– Interiors : Barry Calhoun Photography
