A study in contrasts, this new home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches moves effortlessly between contained and open spaces, offering its inhabitants a range of private and convivial experiences during the course of their daily lives.
Designed by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects on a flat block of land – a luxury in hilly suburbs like these – the property had a northerly aspect and no external view dictating its orientation, which meant Madeleine and project architect Nicholas Channon were able to “focus on the house in its own right.”
“There was no need to be anything other than honest and unassuming… ensuring that the magic came from within, through the unfolding of spaces and interweaving of landscape,” says Madeleine. The owners, a couple with two young sons, wished for a home with connection, spaciousness, light and calm, and the opportunity “to share precious time together in the space”.
“The clients were open to doing something quite raw and unique and the block had a lovely feel about it,” says Madeleine. The generous size of the site “enabled us to spread the home over the block, engage with the landscape and play with the proportions of the spaces, which open up vertically and horizontally as you move from the front door through to the main living area”.
In the two-storey front section, shaded by a large, established tree, are the bedrooms, bathrooms, guest accommodation, study and rumpus room. This segues into an airy living pavilion at the rear, sporting an exaggerated ceiling height corresponding to the generous width and depth of the space.
“The study, cocooned in timber, has a different sensory pleasure – grounding and containing – to the expansive, lateral, open-plan living spaces,” explains Madeleine. “The living areas are immersed in northern light and offer ample proportions and spaces for family activities.”
The pavilion’s elegant simplicity and openness reflect the tenets of Brazilian Modernist architecture, a major influence in the design. With an outlook of lush plantings by Dangar Barin Smith and easy access to the lawn and pool, relaxed living is encouraged.
Say the owners, “We benefit from light and air streaming in and the seamless integration with the garden. One of the benefits is that the living area transforms into the perfect entertaining space and our family and friends can relax while watching the kids play in the backyard and swim in the pool.”
The engagement between indoors and out is further facilitated by the expansive skylight running the length of the living area and the internal courtyard that allows views through greenery to other parts of the house.
“Creating internal vistas was a deliberate decision to establish an oasis for family life, a sense of interior expanse and connectedness via sightlines between separate rooms,” says Madeleine.
Devoid of frills or fripperies, the house takes comfort in its palette of natural materials – concrete, pale brick and various timbers – that lend an unpretentious aura. Terrazzo flooring flecked with pink for warmth and stone used lavishly in the bathrooms and kitchen add a luxe note. The sculptural kitchen island in Grigio Venato limestone takes centrestage in the living space. Its accordion-like shape and corbel edges are repeated elsewhere in such details as the external brickwork as well as the graphic stepped motif on the living-room rug.
The Brazilian Modernist ethos follows through in the furniture selections, including pieces in an array of rich timbers and a limited colour palette. Madeleine says the recurrent use of timber throughout, including the flooded-gum doors and windows, helps soften the concrete ceilings.
“The materiality of the house is quite unique and gives it a strong character,” she adds, referencing the complex brick patterns and innovative finishes on the concrete. The architect has succeeded in her quest “to create bold, powerful spaces” while also infusing the home with warmth and openness. “It embraces its modern essence, and this filters through the house as the experiential joy of a design that supports family life,” she says.
“Our home allows us precious time together,” say the owners, “but the clever design means areas can be closed off for moments of much-needed solitude. It provides us with a calm retreat from the hectic outside world.”
Madeleine Blanchfield: madeleineblanchfield.com; @madeleineblanchfieldarchitects;
Skope Constructions: skopeconstructions.com.au;
Dangar Barin Smith: dangarbarinsmith.com.au
