About

Customs House.

ArchiPro Project Summary - A deconstructive transformation of the historic Customs House in Double Bay, blending original charm with contemporary living spaces, featuring a glazed atrium and stunning views of Double Bay Beach.

Title:: Customs House
Architect:: MHNDU
Category:: Residential/; New Builds
Completed:: 2017
Building style:: Deconstructive
Client:: Private House
Photographers:: Felix Forest

The site is located on a relatively flat rectangular corner block in Double Bay. Originally, a 2-storey cottage first known as “Customs House’ constructed in the 1880s – since then, a number of additions and renovations have taken place. The most recent includes a separate 2 Storey cottage built towards the northern part of the site linked by a single Storey structure.

Our approach was to retain the existing Customs House on the corner which although not Heritage Listed made a positive contribution to the existing streetscape. The new addition was to be clearly defined, distinct and separate from the original structure.

A glazed atrium housing the circulation zones was created between the new and old structures. A concrete block is then inserted and attached around the north and eastern part of the site which frees up much needed outdoor space for the yard and pool area.

Living areas have been inverted to the top floor maximizing views towards Double Bay Beach. Operable screens provide visual privacy and solar protection.

This project is a balance of contrast and conversation, enhancing the original house and celebrating the new.

From the owner, “MHNDU’s design has provided us with a practical and beautiful space to live. The harbor and beach views from the open plan living space are a delight and surprise everyone who visits. In summer, we open the large sliding glass panels to enjoy a real indoor/outdoor feeling to the home. Closing the timber shutters changes the house completely, providing privacy and beautifully filtered light. The ground floor living areas open out providing a protected place for the family to relax and enjoy the garden and pool area. Lawless & Meyerson’s interiors are stylish and very practical.”

Project Gallery

Views and Engagement

Professionals used in Customs House

About the Professional

Project Portfolio

MHNDU is a Sydney architectural collective dedicated to creating timeless spaces which cater to modern sensibilities. Dedicated to our craft for over twenty-five years, our ethos is unwavering: to cultivate experiential beauty in built form.

All of our projects are a physical testament to our fundamental philosophy of respecting the nuances of the architectural artform, catering to our clients’ needs for a unification of residential liveability and luxuriousness.

MHNDU represents the holistic union of principals Brian Meyerson, Kevin Ng, Liam Hancock and Tanya Awadallah. Together with their talented team, they fuse their experience, dedication to design creativity and strategic architectural visions with the ultimate goal of cultivating a legacy of quality, enduring and sustainable buildings.

MHNDU has established a strong reputation in our industry based on our unique blend of technical excellence, commercial acumen and forward-thinking design sensibility. We have cultivated a timeless portfolio of over a hundred works specialising in developments ranging from bespoke houses and small to medium size multi-residential projects to large scale urban renewal projects within the Eastern Suburbs and Greater Sydney area. Our projects are characterised by their confident, modernist statements tempered with an intimate knowledge of local climate, lifestyle and culture.

At MHNDU we understand that the development approvals process is one of the most challenging and daunting prospects for our clients. We have built our name on our ability to engage and mediate the processes involved between clients, council, neighbours and major stakeholders. We assist our clients’ assessment of their site’s development potential through feasibility and early concept design studies for a wide range of projects. We assess the potential for bonus floor space via voluntary planning agreements, affordable housing schemes and exceptions to the planning controls to increase the yield of our client’s sites.

We are proudly affiliated with interior design studio Lawless & Meyerson, experts in intentionally cultivating interior spaces which complement the architectural concept and elevate their client’s experiential sense of home. Headed by interior designer Jo Lawless, Lawless & Meyerson have collaborated with MHNDU on a range of multi award-winning projects, building on a wealth of experience and style of relaxed sophistication. From high-end bespoke homes to luxury apartments, each collaboration is treated individually and holistically from the inside out: a seamless blend of architectural expression and refined interiors.

Nominated Architect Brian Meyerson. NSW Registration No 4907. VIC Registration No 19861.