Southern Ocean Lodge

http://www.southernoceanlodge.com.au

Southern Ocean Lodge, perched on a 40 metre high cliff with panoramic views over the wild Southern Ocean. The Lodge houses 21 spacious guest suites and restaurant/bar/lounge, primarily for international visitors seeking a unique Australian experience.

The architecture has a close relationship with the dramatic site. The Main Lodge is tucked back into the cliff top, with large sweeping window walls capturing the expansive views of the ocean, rugged coastal cliffs and pristine bush. A strong sculptural element is the 100 metre long curving Kangaroo Island Limestone wall, which weaves from a covered entrance, through the largely untouched bush and into the Main Lodge/restaurant. It provides a textured backdrop to the refined details of the guest areas with recesses accommodating desks, seating and reception facilities for guests and staff.

Guest suites cascade down the slope from the Main Lodge, with access from a breezeway ramp. Roofs follow the slope of the land, but with a gentle upward, wave-like curve every fourth suite. The curves define the rainwater collection system with gutters extending out to galvanised iron rain water tanks. Such tanks are ubiquitous iconic structures in dry rural Australia, and here they emphasise the sustainability principles of the project, with all rainwater collected for use within the Lodge.

Year Completed

2009

Photography

George Apostolidis & Sam Noonan

Awards

2014 – World’s Fourth Best Hotel [Travel + Leisure]
2010 – Gourmet Traveller: Best Resort/Lodge
2009 – Australian Institute of Architects Award of Merit [Interior Architecture]
2009 – Australian Institute of Architects Commendation [Commercial]
2009 – Tatler Travel Guide: Hotel of the Year