The house consists of an open plan ground floor, designed with sliding, translucent glass “walls” that can either separate spaces or slide back to connect adjoining rooms. The main living room and kitchen, open onto a large covered deck for year-round outdoor entertaining, with the pool and garden beyond. A large double-height space, containing the stair on one side and formal dining on the other allows light and ventilation to floods into the centre of the house.

The bedroom accommodation is located on the first floor, contained within two rectangular timber clad “boxes” that run in an east-west direction across the masonry walls below. One wing contains the children’s bedrooms and bathroom and the other the parents bedroom, study, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite. These two areas are linked by a “bridge” across the dramatic double-height space.

There is plenty of built-in joinery for storage and to keep the form of the building stream-lined and free of clutter. The finishes are light and neutral, to reflect light into the interior and compliment the natural timber floor and decking.

COMMENDATION  Contribution to the Built Environment, Mosman Design Awards, 2009

PHOTOGRAPHY Nuance Photography