Traditional lands of the Awabakal people
NSW
Quietly nestled in the foothills of southern Merewether, _New Castle_ manifests a subtle grandeur that is both ambitious and refined. Romantically envisioned as an invisible garden of paradise, the residence’s design is entirely encompassed within a walled garden, creating a _sub rosa_ sanctuary for its inhabitants. A thick limestone wall begins at one corner at hip height and rises to nearly two stories at the opposite corner, with a few thoughtfully placed openings offering intriguing glimpses of inside, which include a cluster of Cabbage tree palms and a mature evergreen Magnolia Grandiflora.
Inside the garden wall, the rooms of the house snake around, forming more hidden pockets of outdoor space. This procession of rooms, all a single room wide, allows for multiple perspectives and interactions with the gardens, while inviting light and ventilation into every corner.
New Castle is a once-in-a-career project, showcasing ambition, love, and tenacity in every detail.
In a quiet suburban street in Merewether, on a generous but otherwise unremarkable site with no commanding view, lies a house of extraordinary ambition and execution. New Castle by Anthony St John Parsons is conceived as a walled garden – a secret paradise that turns inward, offering sanctuary, escape, and reflection. From the street, a monolithic limestone facade is softened with mature planting and curious openings. It sets up a ceremonial arrival to the landscape within.
The house unfolds like a wooden puzzle box, a sequence of volumes intimately connected to each other and to the garden across three levels. It is a large house, but you are never lost. The order of the plan takes you below and then above ground, culminating with the roof terrace which opens up to the sky and water on the horizon. The detailing is exquisite: every joint, finish, and line has been considered and resolved. Each gesture is the product of rigorous thought.
While it may not speak to the broader challenges of housing in Australia, New Castle is a rare work of architectural bravura. It draws on centuries of architectural knowledge – from the monumental grandeur of Roman villas to the artistry of Mughal gardens – it thoughtfully reinterprets these lessons in a contemporary way, creating a residence that is both timeless and new. A beautiful one-off, distilled with clarity, courage, and craft. The jury is unanimous in awarding it the 2025 Wilkinson Award.
Anthony Parsons, Design Architect
Jake Kellow, Graduate of Architecture
Izzat Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Room on Fire, Furniture and soft furnishings
Pangkarra, Landscape Consultant
Studio JEF, Landscape Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
