Inside a Dream Home With Iconic Views of Sydney Harbour (House Tour)

Summary

Architects Tim Hay and Jeff Fearon discuss the design philosophy of Rose Bay House, emphasizing the balance between performance and calmness, architectural and landscaping integration, and privacy. The house, situated on a steep, elevated site, features floating shells over gardens, offering privacy and views. It is designed to be a flexible family home, accommodating different stages of life and entertaining needs, with a focus on material detail for space definition and a harmonious balance of robustness and lightness.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The Rose Bay House was designed to embody both performance and calmness, with a focus on creating a sanctuary of privacy.
• 🌿 The integration of architectural and landscaping elements was crucial to achieve a seamless connection between the built form and the natural environment.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The house was intended to be a family home, adaptable to accommodate different life stages and sizes of gatherings.
• 🏙️ The site's elevated position allowed for the house to be discreet, blending with the heavily vegetated grounds and maintaining privacy.
• 🛕 The architectural design features floating shells that sit over gardens, creating a unique arrival experience that transitions from the gardens to the terrace with a view.
• 🎉 The house was configured to host a variety of social events, emphasizing the client's passion for entertaining and gathering.
• 👪 The design considered the balance between creating intimate spaces for a few and accommodating larger groups, reflecting the family's dynamic lifestyle.
• 🏞️ Material detailing and the thoughtful division of spaces were employed to create defined areas without relying on traditional doorways or barriers.
• 🌅 The planning took into account the daily life and occupation of the house, ensuring optimal light penetration and a balance of views to both the harbor and the garden.
• 💎 The house's design aimed to reconcile the solidity of its construction with a sense of lightness and delicacy, using stone as a key material to achieve this.
• 🌳 The garden's maturity over time has enhanced the initial design vision, achieving a sense of balance and integration with the built environment.

Q & A

What was the primary goal for the architects when designing the Rose Bay House?

The primary goal for the architects was to create a building that performed well while also providing a sense of calmness, sanctuary, and privacy through a combination of architectural and landscaping design.

Who are Tim Hay and Jeff Fearon, and what is their role in the project?

Tim Hay and Jeff Fearon are the architects responsible for the design of the Rose Bay House. They were involved in the conceptualization and execution of the architectural strategy for the project.

What is the geographical significance of the Rose Bay House's location?

The Rose Bay House is located at one end of Rose Bay, with views across a body of water towards the city. Its elevated position on a steep, sloped site allows for a sense of discretion and privacy.

How did the architects address the challenge of the site's steep terrain and crowded neighbors?

The architects designed the house to have floating shells that sit over the gardens, creating a sense of arrival through these elements rather than a heavy masonry structure that rises from the contour.

What was the main consideration for the house to be a family home?

The house needed to be flexible to accommodate different ages and stages as the family grows and changes, as well as to host gatherings and entertain diverse groups of visitors.

How did the architects ensure the house could cater to both large gatherings and intimate moments?

The architects planned the house to have a sense of scale that was also intimate, with spaces defined through material detail and containment of glazed elements, allowing for both large group occupation and intimate settings.

What was the design approach to balancing the views of the harbor and the garden?

The architects aimed for a visual stereo or surround sound effect by ensuring that the plan addressed both the outlook opportunities for the sun and the balance of views to the harbor and the garden.

What material did the architects choose to achieve the desired sense of robustness and lightness?

The architects chose stone for its permanence and the ability to provide lightness. They tested samples on-site to ensure the material met their design ambitions of robustness with a delicate appearance.

How does the design of the Rose Bay House respond to the changing needs of its occupants as they grow from children to young adults?

The design allows for the accommodation of the children's transition to young adults by providing spaces that can adapt to their changing needs while maintaining a sense of connection to the home.

What is the significance of having spaces with exterior light or openness on at least two sides in residential design?

Spaces with exterior light or openness on at least two sides enhance the feeling of connection to the external environment, making the occupants feel more directly connected to nature and the outdoors.

How has the garden matured over time and what impact does it have on the overall design?

The garden has matured significantly, establishing a sense of balance that was initially envisioned in the design. This balance enhances the overall experience of living in the Rose Bay House.