This new house in Northbridge is a quintessential Sydney base for a well-travelled family. The beautiful and undulating site – home to the Cameraigal people prior to European settlement – has rocky sandstone outcrops, a watercourse, native gums, and tree ferns that extend to the water’s edge.
A simple cube-shaped form minimises the building’s footprint, and enables all rooms to occupy the perimeter for access to light, views and ventilation.
Balancing privacy and openness, the house is accessed via a bridge across a sunken courtyard; the entry offers glimpses of Middle Harbour. Unfolding over four levels, the building is immersed in lush sub-tropical gardens and this strong connection with nature is further enhanced by indoor plants.
At the centre of the plan, an open staircase with skylight above brings natural light deep into the home.
Careful spatial planning and material choices – including exposed concrete, charred cedar panelling and polished plaster – create a stable indoor environment, for passive climate-control throughout the year.
Operable awnings to the east, sliding doors and louvres, and sandstone courtyards all play important roles in thermal performance.
By accentuating different qualities in the spaces, one feels either intensely grounded in the site and its landscape, or expansive and uplifted by the constantly shifting views of water and sky.
“We came to Tobias Partners as we weren’t convinced that a previous design proposed by an international architectural practice was right for us. We asked Nick and the team led by Richard Peters, to review the design and advise on the best way forward. From the start of that process, we knew we were heading in the right direction. The new design approach and an approval fought hard for, and won, got us on site quickly. Unfortunately, there were unforeseen challenges that put the project and us at great risk. It’s these times that professionals show their mettle and Tobias Partners did just that. They were part of a team who were committed to ensuring we received the best outcome, and we are grateful for their strength and tenacity.
The design by Tobias Partners is amazing and takes great advantage of the site’s attributes. The architecture delivers a thoughtful and beautiful experience from the front gate all the way to the waterfront. All spaces are generous, filled with light and naturally ventilated. The views over middle harbour beautifully framed in wonderful ways.
When it came to the detailed design of the interior spaces the team were also fantastic. We were overseas for most of the process due to our work and then Covid. Nick, Richard, and the team took us through many fortnightly presentations that were detailed and easy to understand, giving us the comfort and confidence to make decisions remotely.
We also engaged Tobias Partners to finish the project by furnishing the house. This seemed like a logical approach as by this stage they knew us better than anyone else could, and we felt it would result in the most cohesive design. Nick and Martine did a great job bringing together things from a range of places, design periods and styles to reflect our own personal taste. It doesn’t feel like a ‘showroom’, it feels like a home, our home.
We loved working with Tobias Partners and have since engaged them for another project in Sydney. We’re sure this will continue to be a long and enjoyable creative relationship in our lives.” – Client
