Houzz Tour: Finding Middle Ground Between Midcentury Neighbors
This new house in Sydney takes its cues from nearby homes to make a contemporary contribution to the streetscape
It’s increasingly rare to find pockets of land in Sydney’s beachside neighborhoods — or just about anywhere in Sydney, for that matter — that are large enough (or affordable enough) to build a family home. This site was once a dark leftover space between two midcentury apartment buildings, but now it gives rise to a modern three-story house designed to make a positive contribution to the streetscape and the owners’ way of life.
The Lovells’ original house was at the back of the property, while a single garage, parking space and small patches of grass consumed the front of the property — and was referred to as “the missing tooth” of the street, according to Evan Howard of Watershed Design.
Subdividing the site provided room enough for a second house, but the site was small (2,131 square feet), steep (a 13-foot fall over an 85-foot length) and narrow (25 feet wide) with three- and four-story apartment buildings on either side. “With 17 apartments overlooking and overshadowing the site, the key challenges of the project were to address the lack of natural light and privacy, while working within the restrictions of the small site,” Howard says.
Subdividing the site provided room enough for a second house, but the site was small (2,131 square feet), steep (a 13-foot fall over an 85-foot length) and narrow (25 feet wide) with three- and four-story apartment buildings on either side. “With 17 apartments overlooking and overshadowing the site, the key challenges of the project were to address the lack of natural light and privacy, while working within the restrictions of the small site,” Howard says.
The result is a modern three-story house that fits neatly between its brick neighbors, from which it takes its cues. The vertical and horizontal proportions are in harmony with the midcentury apartment buildings, as are the balcony facades. However, instead of brick, Howard used spotted gum siding to bring a sense of warmth to the front exterior, the color of which mediates between the cream-brick building to the left and red-brick building to the right.
Spotted gum siding: Woodform Architectural
Spotted gum siding: Woodform Architectural
On the side walls of the house, Cemintel BareStone panels are vertically staggered. “We used BareStone for its natural concrete appearance and because it is prefinished and does not require any maintenance,” Howard says.
The garage and basement serve as the ground floor of the house with Dincel walls (a concrete wall system that uses modular vinyl formers). “Dincel walls reduced the amount of excavation required and meant we didn’t need to create drainage voids behind the basement walls, which would have been impossible to achieve where building to the boundary,” Howard says. The walls are rendered and painted with a dark finish so the garage visually recedes and the upper levels draw attention.
The structural slab of the second level is off-form concrete, and it extends over the garage to create an entry awning, then wraps around the side of the balcony to create a planter box.
The structural slab of the second level is off-form concrete, and it extends over the garage to create an entry awning, then wraps around the side of the balcony to create a planter box.
The exterior material palette is carried throughout the interiors with floorboards, stair treads, exterior sliding doors and the spotted gum front door.
Contending with the narrow and overshadowed site, the design of the house depended on bringing in light from above and through each end. On the middle level of the house, the entry and stairway receive natural light from a void above, as well as two-story walls of acid-etched glass.
The void also serves to create a sense of height and connection between levels, while the glass wall filters natural light inside, while filtering out the neighbors on either side.
The void also serves to create a sense of height and connection between levels, while the glass wall filters natural light inside, while filtering out the neighbors on either side.
“We always design using passive environmental design principles to maximize natural light and cross ventilation, and insulate and seal our buildings for excellent thermal performance,” Howard says. “This reduces energy consumption by reducing the reliance on heating and cooling systems and artificial lighting.”
The living spaces are located on the top level, taking advantage of views, light and privacy while providing acoustic separation from the street.
The kitchen, dining area and balcony extend toward the front of the house to overlook the street, while the living area is positioned at the rear. High ceilings and high-level glass create a sense of volume and fill the space with light.
The kitchen, dining area and balcony extend toward the front of the house to overlook the street, while the living area is positioned at the rear. High ceilings and high-level glass create a sense of volume and fill the space with light.
The kitchen counter, cabinetry and appliances stretch along one side of the wall, with a kitchen island and stools providing additional bench and eating space. “The island [counter] has been designed with thin steel legs to minimize its visual impact, while the mirrored [backsplash] increases the perceived depth of the room and reflects views and light,” Howard explains.
Pendant light: Vessel, Mondoluce; table: solid oak modern style, Beachwood; dining chairs: Gervasoni; stools: About a Stool, Hay, Cult
Pendant light: Vessel, Mondoluce; table: solid oak modern style, Beachwood; dining chairs: Gervasoni; stools: About a Stool, Hay, Cult
As the house sits at the top of a hill, the ceiling is visible from the street. Wanting to add drama and detail to what Howard describes as “essentially the fifth facade,” Watershed installed a spotted gum batten ceiling lighted with uplights affixed to the walls.
Wall lights: Wedgie, Tovo Lighting; ceiling: Concept Click Batten Screening, Woodform Architectural
Wall lights: Wedgie, Tovo Lighting; ceiling: Concept Click Batten Screening, Woodform Architectural
“Great effort was put into the structural detailing of the roof to achieve the cantilever over the balcony, so the roof appears to float and draws the eye out to the district views,” Howard says.
Spotted gum is also used for the wood batten screen dividing the living room from the kitchen and landing. A reduction in ceiling height and change in floor finish — from wood to carpet — also helps define the living room as a separate space.
Along one wall, wood veneer cabinets provide space for storage, while the black wall helps the television visually recede.
Along one wall, wood veneer cabinets provide space for storage, while the black wall helps the television visually recede.
While the living room is designed and furnished as a cozier and more comfortable space, it is still filled with light via the wall of acid-etched louvers. “They allow maximum air flow while maintaining privacy from several directly overlooking apartments,” Howard says.
The soft furnishings in the house are courtesy of Annie Benjamin Design and include custom-made pieces such as the corner sofa based on the Errol by Jardan.
Footstool/seat: Puku, Coco Flip; coffee table and side table: Gervasoni
The soft furnishings in the house are courtesy of Annie Benjamin Design and include custom-made pieces such as the corner sofa based on the Errol by Jardan.
Footstool/seat: Puku, Coco Flip; coffee table and side table: Gervasoni
Back downstairs, the master bedroom, children’s bedrooms and bathrooms are on the middle level of the house. The master bedroom is positioned at the rear, where its spotted gum sliding doors open to a private courtyard garden.
The master bathroom and children’s bathroom are simple and thoughtful, with gray and white tiles, warm wood cabinetry and high-performance fixtures to reduce water usage.
“The house is perfectly suited to our busy lifestyle,” homeowner Emma Lovell says. “The [multiple] levels allow us to keep our working environment and living areas very separate, with the home office far away from the central living zones. And the massive storage areas give us plenty of space for all the recreational toys we drag to the beach and for all the kids’ toys, which can be hidden away out of sight.”
Builder: Lawson & Lovell Building Services
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“The house is perfectly suited to our busy lifestyle,” homeowner Emma Lovell says. “The [multiple] levels allow us to keep our working environment and living areas very separate, with the home office far away from the central living zones. And the massive storage areas give us plenty of space for all the recreational toys we drag to the beach and for all the kids’ toys, which can be hidden away out of sight.”
Builder: Lawson & Lovell Building Services
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Phil and Emma Lovell and their two children
Location: Queenscliff neighborhood of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Size: 2,002 square feet (186 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Architect: Watershed Design
Designed by architecture firm Watershed Design, the house is now the comfortable abode of owner-builders Phil and Emma Lovell and their two children. Perched on a hill in the Sydney neighborhood of Queenscliff, with views over the beach community of Manly, the house is designed to be low-maintenance, to accommodate living and working environments, and to provide plenty of storage. And while the house does all that successfully, the site had its constraints.