2001 raia architecture award for single and multiple housing

The castlecrag House is the result of major alterations to an existing 1960s house for a couple making the move from a mission brown terrace house located in Stanmore, one street back from Parramatta Road, to the bush suburb of Castlecrag.They now find themselves in a carefully sited multi-level house with considered connections to water views, bushland and surrounding tree tops.

Early in the design stage it was obvious that the existing house would need to be almost completely rebuilt. This was due to its poor orientation on the steep sloping site, its lack of connection to the lanscape plus poor exisitng light infiltration and limited ventilation opportunities.

The renovated house now consists of three levels, the upper level being made up of the garage/driveway and roof terrace. The middle level comprises the entry courtyard, living/dining and kitchen spaces, as well as the master bedroom. A second bathroom and further bedrooms make up the lower level.

Forming an exterior room, the entry courtyard links the kitchen and interior living areas to northern light. A large deck is the connection between the interior and the surrounding bushland and tree tops beyond. The roof deck adjoining the garage/driveway continues this link allowing views out to Middle Harbour.

A four metre high laminated glass wall acts as a sun trap, compensating for the existing orientation, flooding the living space with natural light. The resultant effect is the enlivening of a simple robust white interior complimented by the sensitive use of timber, coloured glass, stainless steel and stone.

Leading down to the two bedrooms and the second bathroom is a stair with its point of origin in the living room, ultimately culminating in the open landscape of the garden area which is a combination of natural bushland and a hovering timber platform.

project team

andy harding
andrew stanic
kate tregloan
peta heffernan

builder

paul king pty ltd

joiner

skalkos woodwork designs

structural engineer

chapman hutchison pty ltd

photography

andy harding