Perched atop the edge of a cliff in South Coogee, Seaside occupies a dream coastline position. With a unique architectural opportunity to provide our clients with undisturbed, never-to-be-built-out views of the ocean from all levels, we knew from the outset that this home’s design had to prioritise openness, along with functional solidity. Responding to the present and future needs of its residents, our design is robust in protecting the home from harsh exposure to the elements, as well as ensuring that the structure harmonises with the spectacular coastal escarpment.
Our client’s appreciation for the robustness of ancient Greek structures has informed our design philosophy for their home, opting for materiality and construction methodologies which ensure the building can withstand and capitalise upon the elemental changeability of the sea waters below. Drawing upon concrete, sandstone and brick throughout the exterior in predominately warm, beige tones creates an impression that the home is carved out of the sandstone cliff face, while embodying it with the rock-like endurance it requires to stand unbothered by the environmental harshness of the site. The incorporation of marine grade stainless steel metalwork also imbues the home with structural soundness, necessary for its positioning.
At street level, the house appears to be only two storeys, with bi-folding screens on bedroom windows protecting internal privacy. The façade height gives no indication that there is a three-storey drop down the cliff face, ensuring the residence contains maximum opportunities for recreation and amenity. Using each floor for a specific seasonal purpose, the home allows for winter to be spent predominately on the upper levels, protected from the crashing waves and harsh sea winds; while opening up to the ocean air on the bottom two levels in summer. Below the pool, which appears to float above the cliff, is a quaint timber deck, built specifically for ocean fishing in the warm weather.
One of the key features in perfecting the plans for the owners is our innovative solution to car parking. As well as a turntable in the home’s forecourt to avoid reversing onto the street, a car lift in the garage connects to the basement level, where four additional parking spaces are provided. All the services, such as the lift core, stairs and service zone, as well as the kitchen and scullery, are thoughtfully located on the southern side of the house. This allows for the open plan dining and living areas to capitalise on the full vistas and light to the north and east, a pivotal component of the home’s design concept
Professionals used in
Seaside Parade
More projects from
MHNDU
About the
Professional
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.
- ArchiPro Member since2022
- Follow
- More information