Houzz Tours
We Can Dream: Stunning Seaside Abode on Secluded Gordons Bay
From facade to foreshore, this house has been designed with great consideration to its location, views and lifestyle
Gordons Bay is one of the jewels on the coastal walk between Bondi and Coogee in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The secluded bay has a small sandy beach, sheer sandstone headlands and racks of local fishing boats. When you’re given such a stunning location with which to work, views simply have to come first. Madeleine Blanchfield Architects designed this six-bedroom family home on a steep waterfront site overlooking Gordons Bay, and from the entrance to the living room to the bathrooms, there are plenty of windows to take in the views. “This was non-negotiable,” says Blanchfield.
As the top level of the house cantilevers over the steep site, with two levels built underneath, it takes maximum advantage of the coastal views and location. “The building is twisted on the block to open up as much northern aspect as possible, and operable louvre screens are used to control heat and glare as well as privacy.”
Concrete and stained timber are the predominant materials, chosen for their honesty, durability and softness. The southern walls, floor and roof slabs are concrete, while the infill is made from cedar cladding and louvres. “These were treated with a preservative stain that can either be reapplied or the timber left to age naturally, but looks good in both conditions,” says Blanchfield.
Concrete and stained timber are the predominant materials, chosen for their honesty, durability and softness. The southern walls, floor and roof slabs are concrete, while the infill is made from cedar cladding and louvres. “These were treated with a preservative stain that can either be reapplied or the timber left to age naturally, but looks good in both conditions,” says Blanchfield.
From the street entrance to the house, a four-metre-high, glazed front door offers a dramatic view of Gordons Bay through the main staircase (with three-storey-high concrete walls) and spine of the house.
Turkish grey marble stone flooring: Nefiko
Turkish grey marble stone flooring: Nefiko
Spread over three levels, the house has four bedrooms on the top level, with two bathrooms and an ensuite for the master bedroom. The main living areas, dining area and kitchen are on the middle level, and there’s a more casual lower level that opens onto the garden.
Smoked oak floor boards: Precision Flooring; wall behind bed painted in ‘Thoroughbred’: Porter’s Paints’
Smoked oak floor boards: Precision Flooring; wall behind bed painted in ‘Thoroughbred’: Porter’s Paints’
Behind the bedhead wall of the master bedroom lies this picture-perfect bathroom. The magnificent views of Gordons Bay are made even more so with a mirror that cleverly doubles the expanse.
Calacatta marble vanity and Kaldewei Vaio Duo bath: Reece
Calacatta marble vanity and Kaldewei Vaio Duo bath: Reece
Doing away with the door between the bedroom and ensuite opens up the space even further, and the smoked oak floors continue throughout the space.
Pivoting louvres, to control sun and privacy, are just some of the sustainable design principles used throughout the home. “The house employs German solar hydronic technology for in-floor, hot water and pool heating,” Blanchfield explains. Glass-evacuated tubes heat the water to very high temperatures – it is stored in a subterranean plant room and runs through pipes throughout the house. “The thermal mass of concrete floors was essential for this to
function,” Blanchfield says.
Photovoltaic solar cells are also positioned on the roof to generate electricity, which is sent back to the grid. Rainwater tanks housed under the ground floor harvest water from the roof, which is used to water the garden and flush toilets.
function,” Blanchfield says.
Photovoltaic solar cells are also positioned on the roof to generate electricity, which is sent back to the grid. Rainwater tanks housed under the ground floor harvest water from the roof, which is used to water the garden and flush toilets.
The exterior palette of concrete and timber continues through the inside of the home to break down the delineation between inside and outside. There is also a great sense of arrival and volume when looking into or approaching various spaces, such as this hallway on the middle level of the home. It has custom-designed joinery for storage and display space on the left, and a wide opening overlooking a courtyard to the right.
The kitchen is truly the heart of this home, positioned in the centre of the middle level. It is flanked by a loosely formal living and dining area to the right; a more informal living area to the left; and it looks out onto a sunlit courtyard.
‘Even charred’ veneer joinery: Eveneer from Elton Group; Pietra Grigio marble-top bench: The Rock Masonry; Scala taps: Reece
‘Even charred’ veneer joinery: Eveneer from Elton Group; Pietra Grigio marble-top bench: The Rock Masonry; Scala taps: Reece
The more formal living and dining space opens to views of the bay. “Borrowed views through courtyards and other spaces bring clarity to the design and ensure that there is always a connection to the garden and the bay,” Blanchfield says.
Belgian sisal rug: International Floorcoverings; linen-look wallpaper: South Pacific Fabrics
The interiors are understated and elegant, using neutral and natural colours and timbers to offset the garden and ocean views.
Maxalto armchairs in black leather: Space; MDF Italia dining table: Hub Furniture; CH24 Wishbone dining chair: Cult Design
Maxalto armchairs in black leather: Space; MDF Italia dining table: Hub Furniture; CH24 Wishbone dining chair: Cult Design
The living and dining area extend onto the balcony, which has custom-designed angled cedar blades that shroud the house and manage sunlight and privacy. The angle of the blades changes around the house depending on the view, and they are grouped together in bays to form big motorised louvre panels. “This means that, when it suits, the views can be fully opened up and the position of the louvre is flexible for different times of day,” says Blanchfield.
Banquette seating custom designed by Blanchfield; Perugia indoor/outdoor fabric in ‘Midnight’: Westbury Textiles
Banquette seating custom designed by Blanchfield; Perugia indoor/outdoor fabric in ‘Midnight’: Westbury Textiles
The living space at the rear of the middle level of the home is more casual than its formal counterpart. “The palettes and furniture selected for each area reflect the use of the space,” Blanchfield says. “Dark timbers, concrete and soft neutrals are drawn in from the exterior palette in the main living level, with some colour highlights to bring in the courtyard garden.”
Sofa: Camerich
Sofa: Camerich
The two living spaces and kitchen enclose, and open onto, the north-facing courtyard that ensures year-round sun in the living areas, and protection from the sometimes harsh winds.
C110 Highback chair and foot stool: Spence & Lyda; Chinese porcelain stool: Orient House; Turkish grey marble stone pavers: Nefiko
C110 Highback chair and foot stool: Spence & Lyda; Chinese porcelain stool: Orient House; Turkish grey marble stone pavers: Nefiko
The lower level of the house is designed for fun and relaxation with a rumpus area, theatre, guest room, bar and fireplace. Covered in large grey river pebbles, the fireplace is a standout feature and talking point.
The lower level has limed timber ceilings, a predominantly white palette and casual furnishings. It has also been designed to be flexible as the children grow up. Spaces such as the children’s living and play room can be easily adapted and refurnished in the future if desired.
Outside, the property is just as spectacular with a lap pool to the right-hand side, lush grass and vegetation, and a pathway to the left-hand side, which leads to the foreshore.
Frameless glass pool fencing, dark-tinted special aggregate concrete decking and sun loungers custom made by Bellevarde Constructions
A 20-metre foreshore setback zone has been maintained, which means a 20-metre-deep area owned by the residents covers the full frontage of the site and is being regenerated as native foreshore.
This family home has been designed with thoughtful attention to its site, aspect, and the family’s lifestyle. “The fact that you can stand at the street entrance and take in the bay views through the house is testament to a well-considered coastal home, revelling in its local environment,” says Blanchfield.
This family home has been designed with thoughtful attention to its site, aspect, and the family’s lifestyle. “The fact that you can stand at the street entrance and take in the bay views through the house is testament to a well-considered coastal home, revelling in its local environment,” says Blanchfield.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their three children under 10 years of age
Location: Gordons Bay, Sydney, NSW
Year built: 2013
Size: 545 square metres; 6 bedrooms, 3 living spaces, gym and cinema
Architect: Madeleine Blanchfield Architects
To find their architect, the owners held a limited design competition from which Madeleine Blanchfield Architects came up with the winner. “They had a detailed spatial brief, but we developed the look and feel of the house together,” Blanchfield explains. “They wanted a house for the family to stay in forever. It has an amazing pool, hide-away spaces for kids’ toys and lots of windows to take in the views.”
From the street, the house appears as a humble single-storey abode with a generous garden entry. But don’t be fooled…