The home, which won the COLORBOND steel Award at the recent WA chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects awards, takes advantage of its northern orientation while still maximising the views to the west.

Designed by local firm Odden Rodrigues Architects, the house features a curved roof which bends around to also become the southern wall of the home.

The Cottesloe home overlooks the Indian Ocean and has views to Rottnest Island off the coast. Each room is designed to maximise these views.

Project architect Paul Odden says the curved design has been described in many ways from a wave to a question mark.

The roof-wall made from COLORBOND steel in the colour Surfmist provides protection from the weather while also opening the home to the warmth and light to the north.

Developed by BHP Steel specifically for Australia's harsh environment, COLORBOND steel provides a visually-striking, long-lasting cladding material.

The recent introduction of six new colours, together with an advanced super polyester pre-painted coating technology, has given COLORBOND steel a total spread of the latest colours which will stay looking new longer.

Each of the 20 colour names is trademarked to distinguish COLORBOND steel in the marketplace and to ensure confidence among customers that it is the genuine article.

The award-winning home's design creates an upstairs apartment for the semi-retired owners and substantially separate accommodation for their son on the lower level.

Internally the wall-ceiling relationship is blurred on the upper floor, emphasising both the spacious design and views to the west and north.

"The house is unashamedly contemporary, exploiting the panoramic views of the sea," Mr Odden explained.

"Materials for the home were selected carefully to ensure longevity and the areas within the home are large and functional, maximising light and warmth," he said.

Presenting the COLORBOND steel award, the RAIA jury noted the home's spacial qualities in relation to its narrow site.

"The main spaces for the house are contained in an astonishing two-storey high curvilinear volume made possible only by the daring use of steel," the judges remarked.

For more information contact:
Odden Rodrigues Architects
Tel: 08 9383 3111
Fax: 08 9385 2439
Address: PO Box 454 Claremont WA 6010