ambay HOUSE
North Balgowlah NSW
This project entailed the complete demolition of an old double-brick house and the construction of a new two-storey, four-bedroom home with a rear pool and a double garage. The clients, who have a love for beachside living, envisioned a spacious family home that retained the intimacy and charm of a modest cottage. Inspired by the timber cottages built along Sydney’s beaches in the mid-20th century, this contemporary coastal pavilion blends indoor and outdoor living arrangements, encouraging engagement with the surrounding landscape.
A series of northeast-facing light wells line the side of the house, highlighting a glass-encased grand staircase. This architectural gesture draws the clients into a daily connection with the outdoors as they move through the home. The living spaces at the rear benefit from a northwest orientation, basking in afternoon sun; these areas feature stacking sliding doors that seamlessly connect the interior to the backyard and pool area.
The architectural detailing reflects the Australian weatherboard cottage aesthetic, with various timber cladding arrangements and a post-and-beam structure that defines the building’s envelope.
Photography by Michael Nicholson