Land of the Birrabirragal & Cadigal clan of the Eora nation.

We collaborated closely with MHNDU architects on this house. The architects had been working on the design for a year or more prior to us becoming involved, apart from consulting on planning and room arrangements throughout the approval process. The brief called for a vacation home for a family living overseas to use whilst in Sydney for the short term and eventually to retire too. It therefore needed to be practical and low maintenance, a space to enjoy for short term stays but comfortable for everyday living in the future. A sculptural stair topped by a skylight connects all three levels, this form is then contrasted by crisp clean spaces where materials were kept to a strict minimum. Wire-bushed white painted oak timbers to cabinetry, carrara goia stone to the kitchen island bench and stained oak timber floors throughout – the palette is intentionally limited, for ease of maintenance as well as a client request for a pared back aesthetic.

Project Team: Jo Lawless, Nasia Gregory
Architect: MHNDU
Photographer: Felix Forest