Sydney, Australia. 2008-09


Leaf House

The Project

Leaf House is built on an escarpment overlooking the Pacific Ocean and northern beaches of Sydney – a building tempered by the Australian bush. The design embraces a breathtaking site with architecture of equal measure.

Leaf House embraces its breathtaking site with architecture of equal measure
The building’s diffuse form resonates with surrounding foliage
The structural system carries a narrative in addition to the weight of the building

 

The house focuses on its rugged landscape and garden setting, complimenting an existing weatherboard beach house and part of a larger residential complex. The building resonates with the natural forms that surround it, drawing on organic metaphors that infuse it with nature, and connect the in and outside.

Leaf House is shaped by the local environment. The building is located in-the-round and opens in all directions, blending together the interior and exterior in an experience that is both inside, and in the garden at the same time.

The house merges diffusely into the landscape. Undulating glass walls modulate light to bend and stretch the interior; an interleaved roof filters sunlight and keyhole views, while projecting a small footprint outwards; an emblematic structure conveys a narrative in addition to carrying the weight of the building.

Leaf House reflects and responds to its surroundings, engaging occupants with an architecture that matches an exceptional site.

Leaf house compliments an existing weatherboard beach house
Inside – and in the garden – at the same time

The structure carries a narrative in addition to the weight of the building… Tree to cloud, cloud to rain

The house merges diffusely into the landscape

Private areas are partially underground, reconciling a steep site and below the sightlines from the existing beach house

Undulating glass walls bend and stretch the interior, modulating light

An interleaved roof filters sunlight and keyhole views, while projecting a small footprint outwards

Leaf House process video from Babekuhl on Vimeo

 

Project Team

Undercurrent Architects : Didier Ryan, German Perez Tavio, Claudia Youl

Jack Hodgson Engineers ; Elliotwood Llp

Photography: Hugh Rutherford

Learn more

CONCEPT

Behind the scenes

LEAF HOUSE BY MARC GERRITSEN

Behind the scenes

LEAF HOUSE BY MALOU DUNKLEY

Behind the scenes

Technical

Behind the scenes

site construction

Behind the scenes

OFF-SITE Fabrication

Behind the scenes

 


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