“This house was an attempt to bring together the meanings that I found in St Kilda – a really very self-conscious attempt. The first thing was an obvious allusion there to a ship and to decks and to climbing a narrow stair. I’ve intentionally exploited the idea of a beachside playfulness, exemplified by the Brighton Pavilion in England – it’s a kind of playful carnival type of architecture by the sea. I like the metaphysical idea that it’s not building-like – that you’re forced into something more abstract. So, in fact the thing is a giant stair that goes up. At the same time as being contained in a house and having a domestic quality, you’re contained in a giant stair.” Allan Powell