Headland House & Escarpment House, Gerringong

Set atop a 150-acre coastal headland where the Illawarra escarpment meets the sea, Headland House and Escarpment House command expansive views over Werri Beach and Geering Bay. The site is defined by strong contrasts—open dairy pastures to one side and rugged cliffs to the other—while the eastern boundary has been gifted to the community, forming part of the Gerringong to Kiama Coast Walk. The architecture responds to this unique setting through a series of metal-clad volumes arranged around a protected courtyard, with projecting elements carefully aligned to capture ocean and rural vistas.

Our carpentry works played a key role in realising these architectural forms, particularly where the buildings extend into the landscape. We contributed to the construction of the guest house’s open living and dining spaces, which connect seamlessly to large decks on either side, allowing occupants to move with the sun or seek shelter from strong coastal winds. Detailed structural carpentry supported the dramatic cantilevered living space, featuring a full-height glazed wall and balcony that project toward the beach and appear to float above the hillside, supported by angled pillars.

The nearby gabled guest house, designed to reference a traditional farm shed, required equally considered craftsmanship. Clad in corrugated black metal, the structure terminates in a fully glazed end wall fitted with operable copper louvres. Our work ensured these elements were precisely integrated, enabling flexible control of light, ventilation, and views while maintaining a refined finish. Across both buildings, the carpentry balances strength, durability, and detail, supporting architecture that is both robust enough for its exposed coastal setting and finely tuned to its remarkable surroundings.