New South Wales
This project is situated on a sloping, north facing site on Sydneys’ Northern Beaches with a long northern view of the coastline. The existing two storey home had no relationship to the ground and minimal openings towards this northern aspect.
We conceived the existing house as a rock shelf and the addition as a bridge that spanned from this shelf across to the rear yard, providing occupants with a flat viewing platform and a level garden accessed directly from the living areas. This garden was flanked by a concrete pool built above the ground at the southern end retaining garden as the backdrop.
Practically, the existing pitched roof was removed and a large terrace created by ‘capping’ the house with a concrete slab. A new living area was constructed as a long space stretching out towards the view which has been dramitcally opened through the removal of the existing roof.
Being from the Northern Beaches work has taken us out of the area for a number of years to different cities. Returning to Sydney to live again, this house feels not only like a new beginning but a completely new way of engaging with the landscape, which is so familiar to us. We are a family of four and this house has brought us together in many different ways, made us feel more active and connected. Jaya, Sacha and Tom Hicks and his team have give us a truely joyful place to live and we are forever grateful.
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.
