Built over an escarpment in a densely urbanized heritage conservation area in Waverton to the north of Sydney, the form of Angophora House responds to the difficult site using the elements of the cave, platform, and canopy.
Designed by Richard Cole Architecture, the house features exposed rock outcrops within the lower ground floor rooms, a sculptural Tallowwood lined ceiling, sliding timber walls, and custom-made furniture.
The design anticipates a sequential experience of entering from the street to a tranquil courtyard with a linear pond and stone wall, through the concrete and masonry cave-like northern part of the house, to the light-filled open space beneath the sculptural canopy roof.
Insulated timber movable walls transform the space from warm and enclosing to open and unimpeded.
Built for the architect’s parents, the house is fully accessible and designed for “aging in place”.
Of conservative background, the design of their final house is the embodiment of a leap of faith.
The house acts as a container for possessions accumulated over their lifetime.
The architect had the advantage of knowing intimately how his parents lived, their habits, and routines.
There is a place for a whisky bottle, a kitchen nook where busy schedules can be organized, and a deck where dusk can be savored.
The house is both a sanctuary and a gallery.
The Artek breakfast table and chairs are the same treasured design as purchased in the 1960s.
The Tasmanian Blackwood table designed by the architect complements an existing Richard Vaughan sideboard and responds specifically to the space it occupies.
The unique relationship between architect and client resulted in a carefully curated space that intimately caters to the way in which an individual inhabits their home.
Angophora Costata are eucalypts endemic to the southeast coast of Australia.
The design slips beneath the canopies of these beautiful trees, with their smooth pink bark and twisted limbs.
“Angophora” derives from the Greek words “angos” meaning “vessel” and “phero” meaning “to bear or carry”, in reference to the fruit.
A house is also a vessel, one which contains the lives of its inhabitants.
The nature of that vessel contributes to how the inhabitants experience their day-to-day existence, and how they are placed in the world.
In this case, the inhabitants are the parents of the architect, and the vessel is crafted to accommodate their particular way of being.
The design strategically and carefully responds to the site, encouraging interaction.
And it carefully and strategically responds to the site, encouraging interaction.
The primary constraint of the project was the steepness of the elevated site.
The cliff face is revealed and exposed through the new building.
Separated from the streetscape by topography, site boundaries, and orientation, the design response is a bold sculptural gesture that is primarily site-driven.
The deliberate contrast preserves the integrity of the surrounding built fabric.
The existing sandstone escarpment is integrated into the structural form of the building, which is secured with rock anchors.
A sheltering timber-lined roof opens to the north, falls in response to the slope of the land, and captures framed views of adjacent Angophora trees.
The unexpected escarpment is retained, raw and open to the rooms of the lower ground floor.
A dramatic lift takes the owners to the garage on the street below.
The dwelling provides an example of high-quality infill development and embraces the following principles:
- It responds authentically to its context and time
- It is unique rather than generic
- It expounds a particular character within the streetscape
- It avoids fake responses to heritage values
- It tells a story
- It respects the historical narrative of the site and precinct
- It respects the public space and works to enhance society
- It is the result of the cooperation of a team
- It is built for longevity and adaptation over time.
- It is built sustainably with respect for nature
Inherent value is achieved through quality and longevity. Specific environmental attributes incorporated within the building are:
- Insulated double glazed sliding doors forming operable external walls with integrated magnetically operated internal louvre blinds to bedrooms
- Thermal stability using mass of rock escarpment
- Water harvesting and reticulation with a 10,000 litre tank
- Photovoltaic solar collection
- Six-star instantaneous gas hot water system
- Solar passive design on a south-facing site
- Maximisation of natural daylighting
- Provision of cross ventilation
- 100% LED lighting
- Efficient heating and cooling system
- Minimized requirement for artificial cooling achieved through solar passive design
- Blended wool insulation was used throughout the construction
- Materials selected for longevity, durability, and weathering properties
Project Details
Project Size – 265 m2
Site Area – 591 m2
Completion Date – 2012
Building Levels – 2
Project Team
Architecture
Richard Cole Architecture
Richard Cole Architecture is a small design-based studio located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
www.richardcolearchitecture.com.au
Landscape Architecture
Jane Britt Landscape Architect
Jane designs beautiful courtyards, gardens, and bush settings that blend nature with architecture.
Construction
Prime Form Construction
Prime Form Construction specializes in the construction and delivery of high-end domestic and commercial projects.
Photography
Simon Wood
Simon is a Sydney-based professional photographer. His extensive portfolio includes a wide range of projects specializing in architecture, landscape architecture, and design.
Photo Gallery
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Design © 2022 Richard Cole Architecture. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2022 Simon Wood. All Rights Reserved.
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