A Contemporary Remodel Of A Waterfront House

March 30, 2015

After winning a competition to develop the site, instead of building a new house, Luigi Rosselli Architects chose to revive the existing house, so that it could maintain its closeness to the waterfront in Sydney, Australia.

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

The project description

It is quite rare, in Woollahra Council’s municipality, to have a house waterfront residence so close to the water. One gets the feeling of being in Sydney Harbour when looking out of the oversized wafer-thin framed windows.

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Luigi Rosselli Architects won a limited architectural competition to develop the site by proposing to revive the existing three storey house while the competitors opted for a clean slate solution.

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Adaptive reuse is the best way to keep a carbon footprint small and the strategy was rewarded in this waterfront property by maintaining the foreshore building line just a few steps from the water. A new house would have to be set further back.

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Though built on the edge of beach this is not a beach house. The cultured art lovers and sophisticated art collectors who commissioned this project required a very urbane and elegant residence, with an environment ideal to display their collection. Expansive Wall spaces, nooks for sculptures and specialised art lighting were necessary.

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

The entry courtyard was originally a cramped driveway with three garages as main features, the solution was to relocate the garages and have a Will Dangar designed courtyard with sculptural plants and textural architectural details. The result restored a sense of dignified arrival where people, not cars, are welcome.

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Harbour Front-Row Seat by Luigi Rosselli Architects

Architect: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Project Architects: Hugh Campbell, Jane McNeill
Landscape Architect: William Dangar for Dangar Group / William Dangar Associates
Structural & Hydraulic Consultant: Charles Blunt for Rooney & Bye (Australia) Pty Ltd
Interior Designer: Alexandra Donohoe for Decus Interiors
Builder: Sydcon Building Services Pty Ltd
Joiner: Corelli Joinery

Photography by © Edward Birch and © Justin Alexander