Set in the back streets of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, perched atop a cliff, Luigi Rosselli Architects’ best project of the year is nearing completion one month before contract date.
Although Waverley Council is well known for its eastern coastal views and the iconic Bondi Beach, few would think of Waverley having cliffs facing the opposite way, inland and towards the city of Sydney. This house hangs on the top of such an escarpment, four storeys nestled in the old footprint of a dysfunctional and “comedy of errors” house, with spectacular views back towards the city and South Sydney suburbia. Of special mention is the glowing light reflected off Sydney City’s buildings in the early morning, visible from the house, a vista the owners will long appreciate.
While taking full advantage of these spectacular vistas westbound, the design had to maximise useable outdoor space connected to the house to make up for the inaccessible garden at the bottom of the cliff. To do this, terraced levels were provided by “scissoring” each floor, creating recesses that can become children’s play areas and adult’s relaxation decks.
Building With Options (B.W.O.) must be complimented for its good site management that has brought the project to an early completion and on budget.
A full photographic shoot will encapsulate the completed house once furniture, joinery and landscaping have been completed. Watch this space!
Photography: Edward Birch
Builder: Building With Options (B.W.O.)
Louvres: Magic Door Industries
Cliff top architecture needs good Engineers. Rooney and Bye, with Asset Geotechnical, worked as a tight knit team on a difficult rocky site. Some floaters were slipping away and needed anchoring to provide support to a four storey building. © Edward Birch
The Aluminium Wall cladding has been designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects to match the elliptical aluminium louvres, in conjunction with Sure Shade. © Edward Birch
Terraces, balconies and decks have been provided to each floor for an easy indoor outdoor life. © Edward Birch
Street view - Waverley Council was supportive of the project, based on the retention of the previous buildings maximum height and the councils acknowledgement of Luigi Rosselli Architects track record in the area. © Luigi Rosselli
Queens Park, Centennial Park and Sydney City are framed in the balcony view. © Luigi Rosselli
Luigi Rosselli perspectives are the tools that lead from the design to the realisation. © Luigi Rosselli
The cliff top house makes use of passive solar, cross ventilation, thermal mass and external screening to provide an “air-conditioning free”, sustainable house. © Luigi Rosselli