Originally a vacant site selected for its views over Sailors Bay and bushalnd setting. The site presented a steep slope to the east and north. The house was designed as a compact house in the form of a perforated white cube with a split level interior.

The building presents modern horizontal lines, large windows and a simple open plan room arrangement that pivots around the stair. The living areas are broken up by circular pods and the split level plan that defines the spaces. The split level design also separates the living from sleeping areas. The house opens up to the north and east to covered terraces and the views to Sailors Bay.

Finishes consisted of terrazzo floors to living and circulation spaces, carpet to bedrooms; white walls internally and externally; black aluminium framed windows and Tasmanian oak doors.

The house is still owned and occupied by our clients with generations of the client’s having lived in the house. Over the decades the use of some rooms has varied. The two bottom bedrooms are currently used as studies. Notwithstanding the changing of use over time, there was no need to make changes to the building.

The house is now 40 years old, yet the architecture is still valid. The house was praised by writer the Sydney Morning Herald architectural writer, Eva Buhrich, who at the end of 1973 reflected on architectural achievements during the year. Her favourites for that year were Sydney’s Opera house and a number of individual homes, including the Castlecrag house, one of a select few.

The Castlecrag house was shortlisted for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects awards in 1974, and has been nominated for the Australian Institute of Architects Enduring Architecture Award for 2012.