Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Finding Middle Ground Between Mid-Century Neighbours
This new house takes its cues from its mid-century neighbours to make a contemporary contribution to the streetscape
It’s increasingly rare to find pockets of land in Sydney’s beachside suburbs – 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 mid-century apartment blocks, but now it gives rise to a modern three-storey house designed to make a positive contribution to the streetscape, and the owners’ way of life.
The Lovell’s original house was at the rear 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 (198 square metres), steep (a 4-metre fall over 26-metre length) and narrow (7.6 metres wide) with three- and four-storey apartment blocks 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 explains.
Subdividing the site provided room enough for a second house, but the site was small (198 square metres), steep (a 4-metre fall over 26-metre length) and narrow (7.6 metres wide) with three- and four-storey apartment blocks 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 explains.
The result is a modern three-storey house that fits neatly between its brick neighbours, from which it takes its formal and volumetric cues. The vertical and horizontal proportions are in harmony with the mid-century apartment blocks, as are the balcony facades. However, instead of brick, Howard used spotted gum cladding to bring a sense of warmth to the front exterior, the colour of which mediates between the cream-brick block to the left and red-brick block to the right.
Spotted gum cladding: Woodform Architectural
Spotted gum cladding: 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 pre-finished 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,” says Howard. 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 expressed externally as 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 expressed externally as 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.
Inside, the external material palette is carried throughout the interiors with floorboards, stair treads, external 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-storey 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 neighbours 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 neighbours either side.
“We always design using passive environmental design principles to maximise natural light and cross ventilation, and insulate and seal our buildings for excellent thermal performance,” says Howard. “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 towards the front of the house to overlook the street, while the living area is positioned at the rear. High ceilings and high-level glazing create a sense of volume and fill the space with light.
The kitchen, dining area and balcony extend towards the front of the house to overlook the street, while the living area is positioned at the rear. High ceilings and high-level glazing create a sense of volume and fill the space with light.
The kitchen bench, joinery and appliances stretch along one side of the wall, with a kitchen island and stools providing additional bench and eating space. “The island bench has been designed with thin steel legs to minimise its visual impact, while the mirrored splashback increases the perceived depth of the room and reflects views and light,” Howard explains.
Vessel pendant: Mondoluce; oak table: Beachwood; dining chairs: Gervasoni; Hay ‘About A Stool’: Cult
Vessel pendant: Mondoluce; oak table: Beachwood; dining chairs: Gervasoni; Hay ‘About A Stool’: 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 façade”, Watershed installed a spotted gum batten ceiling lit with uplights affixed to the walls.
Wedgie wall lights: Tovo Lighting; Concept Click Batten Screening: Woodform Architectural
Wedgie wall lights: Tovo Lighting; 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 timber batten screen dividing the living room from the kitchen and landing. A reduction in ceiling height and change in floor finish – from timber to carpet – also helps define the living room as a separate space.
Along one wall, timber veneer joinery units provide space for storage, while the black wall helps the television visually recede.
Along one wall, timber veneer joinery units provide space for storage, while the black wall helps the television visually recede.
While the living room is designed and furnished as a cosier and more comfortable space, it is still filled with light via the wall of acid-etched louvres. “They allow maximum airflow while maintaining privacy from several directly overlooking apartments,” says Howard.
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.
Puku footstool/seat: 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.
Puku footstool/seat: 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 ensuite and children’s bathroom are simple and thoughtful, with grey and white tiles, warm timber cabinetry and high-performance fixtures to reduce water usage.
“The house is perfectly suited to our busy lifestyle,” homeowner Emma Lovell explains. “The multi 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.”
YOUR SAY
What are your favourite features of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“The house is perfectly suited to our busy lifestyle,” homeowner Emma Lovell explains. “The multi 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.”
YOUR SAY
What are your favourite features of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Phil and Emma Lovell and their two children
Location: Queenscliff, Sydney, NSW
Year built: 2015
Size: 186 square metres; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, study and tandem garage
Architect: Watershed Design
Builder: Lawson & Lovell Building Services
Designed by architecture practice 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 suburb of Queenscliff, with views over 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 that successfully, the site itself certainly provided its constraints.