This project commenced construction in May 2020, meaning not only did we have to work with the complexities of the site and the intricacies of design, but also the full brunt of every problem the pandemic could dream up and throw in our direction. Completed under a fixed price, lump sum, contract, the daily negotiations with suppliers, contractors and owners were immense, and had these negotiations and constant conversations not been had, the project may have ended quite differently.

Three years since commencement, and reflecting on what went into building this house and looking at the end result, it’s with great pride we stand in awe of the design and the fact we were lucky enough to bring it to life, as this is truly one special, harmonised, home.

To add to the physicality of the construction methodology challenges, the house has a four metre cantilever overhang on two levels which hangs over a ten metre rock cliff drop the crag is famous for, and includes a cantilevered off form concrete pool. This meant the falsework had to support from below the cliff all the way to the roof.

Once inside, the datum lines are continuous and uninterrupted from the front door, around the balcony and into the kitchen and hallway. Achieving the uninterrupted lines while incorporating glass sliding doors, which in the open position sit outside the building, and incorporating fire shutters for BAL FZ compliance and seamless integration with flyscreens and curtains, meant the site team couldn’t have one day off their game. The extensive timber led joinery wrapping and folding throughout the home also hits the same datum lines, with floor to ceiling wall paneling, as do the internal doors and bathroom tiles which create a cultivated ease throughout. Submerged below the living spaces addressing the wild outlooks beyond, is the extensive stone masonry, complete with every hand-coined, piece of sand stone, and gabled streetscape.

A cantilevered steel Corten screen sits off the front courtyard ramp which takes you steadily from the ground level to the roof terrace. The ramps make use of the acute angled water tank, lovingly clad with masterful stonemasonry, and capped with off form concrete to allow the metalwork to seemingly hang in mid air.

Inside the finishes are all top of the range with in situ terrazzo floors, Vitrocsa windows and doors, glass floor, marble benchtops, integrated appliances, and custom metalwork features, begin to give a sense of the layer of masterful craftsmanship. The detail continues to the functionality and enhanced livability of the spaces, through details such as the moving wall panel which reveals the television hidden in the lounge area. Dynalite gives the home it’s intelligence at the touch of a finger, with automation controlling everything in the house from electric curtains, light scenes, heating and cooling and security.