The beacon on the headland
Dovecote’ is the dramatic, minimalist creation of Andy Carson, a former industrial designer who moved into architecture after a world tour shifted his focus. Upon a striking promontory south of Wollongong, less than two hours from Sydney, a stretch of open, rolling pasture suddenly, inevitably, gives way to the South Pacific Ocean. There sits Dovecote. The glorious site consists of two dwellings, a smaller guest house known as ‘The Range’ and the main home, ‘Headland’.
Divided into ‘pavilions’, the three buildings of Headland perform distinct functions: the garage houses the laundry and utilities, the bedrooms and bathrooms are located in the next building, where the most important guests are rewarded with the master bedroom’s views to the west. It’s difficult to find a bedroom or bathroom without a wonderful view, either of the ocean or the landscaped courtyard with swimming pool, stone walls and more rolling lawns. Finally, the living pavilion opens up to a large, rectangular space, richly lit from glazing on either side. Again, the eye is drawn to either the azure Pacific on one side, or the walled, secluded, manicured enclosure on the other. As Andy explains, it was always intended as a house for entertaining, “so the sight lines to the main living areas and also to the pool and the courtyard were very important.”
“The kitchen itself is really a further expression of the minimalism that’s throughout the project.”
Andy Carson
“Getting the kitchen right was really important.” The pale grey palette of oak flooring and kitchen cabinetry is intentionally subdued. By matching the rest of the main, open-plan room it provides a neutral backdrop for the vast stone island and Gaggenau oven, combi-steam oven and warming drawer. The ovens appear alongside, and are akin to, the art pieces placed around the main living room. Behind the grey facia, the vast Gaggenau 400 series fridge-freezer befits both the scale of the space it finds itself in, as well as the number of potential occupants.
The kitchen is the entertainment focal point, whether that involves hosting an elevated soiree, a family’s cooking event, or simply being a sanctuary. Likewise the Gaggenau appliances fulfil multiple roles: making a luxury statement, performing exceptionally for any number of chefs and guests or simply blending in with the surroundings.
The drama of the location and architecture, that has already been leveraged in one Hollywood movie, is heightened by the sophisticated, luxurious Gaggenau 400 series appliances.
“I think the main impression I wanted to leave with people was just a sense of drama.”
Andy Carson
