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A House With Two Cantilevered Pavilions Lets The Sea Pass Under It

By Simona Ganea | Published on

The Two Hulls House is an amazing residential project created by studio Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, one which was offered five awards since its completion back in 2011. The name is intriguing but also quite suggestive for, as you see, the house features two cantilevered pavilions which resemble two ship’s hulls. It’s meant to serve as a permanent residence for a family of four but it definitely doesn’t look like any typical house we’ve seen so far. The coastal landscape which surrounds adds a lot of character to the building itself, giving sense to its amazing design.

Both pavilions have covered porches that face the seat and bring the interior spaces closer to nature
Both pavilions cantilever over the steep sloping terrain and resemble two hulls, hence the name
Both pavilions cantilever over the steep sloping terrain and resemble two hulls, hence the name
Inside, large windows expose the spaces to the gorgeous views and bring in lots of natural light
Inside, large windows expose the spaces to the gorgeous views and bring in lots of natural light
The pavilions have steel frames covered in a wooden skin and end in terraces with glass railings
The pavilions have steel frames covered in a wooden skin and end in terraces with glass railings
The functions are organized into day and night areas, which a clear physical separation between them
The functions are organized into day and night areas, which a clear physical separation between them
The pavilions are connected by a common and much smaller space which houses the entryway
The pavilions are connected by a common and much smaller space which houses the entryway
The master bedroom opens onto a covered terrace with a direct view towards the sea
The master bedroom opens onto a covered terrace with a direct view towards the sea
The central volume acts as a link between the two pavilions, connecting the spaces yet keeping the functions separate
The central volume acts as a link between the two pavilions, connecting the spaces yet keeping the functions separate
Although the pavilions seem mostly closed off, they're well connected to the outdoors
Although the pavilions seem mostly closed off, they’re well connected to the outdoors
The entryway is a large transitional space with two sets of stairs leading to each of the two pavilions
The entryway is a large transitional space with two sets of stairs leading to each of the two pavilions
The wooden exterior shell gives the house a modern and welcoming look and disguises the steel frame
The wooden exterior shell gives the house a modern and welcoming look and disguises the steel frame
The living area is large, open and very simple as far as the interior design and decor are concerned
The living area is large, open and very simple as far as the interior design and decor are concerned
The home office has a minimalistic design just like the rest of the house and is all concentrated on one wall
The home office has a minimalistic design just like the rest of the house and is all concentrated on one wall
As the two pavilions extend over the landscape, a pathway opens up between them
As the two pavilions extend over the landscape, a pathway opens up between them
The living room is very bright, with white walls, large windows and very little furniture overall
The living room is very bright, with white walls, large windows and very little furniture overall
The pavilions have different lengths but are very similar from every point of view
The pavilions have different lengths but are very similar from every point of view
A set of stairs seems to lead to a dead end due to the sliding panels that conceal the space behind them
A set of stairs seems to lead to a dead end due to the sliding panels that conceal the space behind them
As the panels slide open, the home office is revealed in this particular case
As the panels slide open, the home office is revealed in this particular case

The house is surrounded by granite bedrock and large boulders which had a strong impact on the way it was designed. The views are amazing so that was a major defining detail as well. In the end, the architects structured the house into two large pavilions which cantilever 32 meters over the coast, floating and forming protective outdoor spaces both below and between them. One pavilion is for day areas while the other is for night functions. This separation is very practical while at the same time it ensures a really cool design and gives the house lots of character.

The house takes full advantage of the turquoise water and white sand beaches that surround it
The house takes full advantage of the turquoise water and white sand beaches that surround it