The design approach for this project was to reconcile the site’s challenging slope with a family home where connection — rather than disconnection — drives the experience of living.
Taking cues from the original relocated cottage, the site is organised along a strong circulation axis running from the southern edge of the block through to the north. This move positions car storage at the upper portion of the site, while carving out a generous north-east facing lawn and courtyard connected directly to the living spaces.
As you move through the cottage, the central hallway steps down to the north, creating a dramatic stair sequence that anchors the interior and draws natural light deep into the centre of the home. A carefully positioned lightwell and openings to both east and west allow light and breezes to penetrate the lower levels, reinforcing a strong front-to-rear connection throughout.
The project was driven by a desire to bring the outside in, create seamless interior living and establish a functional long-term family home. A subtle kick in the park-facing wall frames views to the greenery beyond from the moment you enter, while also expanding the generosity of the outdoor living areas.
On steep, flood-affected sites, meaningful connection to ground is often difficult to achieve. Here, the design creates that connection in two significant moments: a front courtyard carved into the hillside, and a ramping grass mound at the rear that rises to meet the home halfway. Together, these moves transform the everyday experience of the house — grounding it in landscape and greatly enhancing its livability for family life.
The overarching goals of this project were to bring the outside in, create a seamless interior and make it a functional family home for the long term.
