On first visiting the site we were met with a modest bungalow perched on a hill overlooking Vaucluse House. The clients were equally modest, simply needing more space for their family with better connection to the garden, sunlight and air.

The garden was very important, and it became intrinsic to the design. A large rock that sat in the hill to the rear of the house became our focal and pivotal natural element in the new architectural composition. With the underlying philosophy of relative modesty, the new form is setback, maintaining existing amenity enjoyed by neighbours. The first floor is concealed in the black roof form, providing a recessive appearance from the street, nestling into the landscape. Resting on two legs at opposite corners allowed the possibility of a clear opening to the garden at ground and main living level. Opening like an eye to the sky and trees it folds along the perimeter of the plan. When describing to the client the experience one might feel standing in the lounge room looking out, the analogy of a skirt was used and then stuck, hence skirt and rock.

BUILDER
Artechne

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Spirit Level

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Taylor Thomson Witting

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
QS Plus

JOINERY
Finestyle Interiors

PLANNING CONSULTANT
Mersonn

HERITAGE CONSULTANT
NBRS&P Heritage

CERTIFIER
Peter Boyce and Associates

SURVEYOR
Eric Scerri + Associates

PHOTOGRAPHER
Richard Glover