trio of talent – Raffaello Rosselli as main architect working in collaboration with his father, Luigi, and Romaine Alwill of Alwill Interiors – pooled their knowhow on this project: a new build on an enviable but challenging site for clients who desired a substantial home that was also hard-wearing with simple finishes. Luigi Rosselli: Our young clients approached us with a brief to build a warm and inviting yet highly functional family home on their beautifully positioned but tricky site. Raffaello was just Luigi: The site has an excellent aspect, with highly desirable views over Sydney Harbour that the clients wished to maximise. But the catch was an incredibly steep and sandy site that even a mountain goat would find challenging. Maintaining those views meant maintaining the slope. Essentially, we were building on top of a sand dune. We had to do considerable excavation to incorporate a tunnel and lift from street level, and for the house itself. Sand can behave akin to water but rather than employing heavily engineered retaining walls, we chose to wrap the sand in layers of geofabric to hold it in place then planted native vegetation in the same way dune systems are stabilised. Romy: The home has stacked levels and is vertical living at its best so creating a connection between floors through materials was key. The interior scheme feathers out as it makes its way up to where light punctuates through a slatted timber stairwell. Finishes reflect this feathering, being earthy and grounded at the base but taking on a lightness and reflectivity going up each floor. The architecture had to contend with a precipitous site and as such built a soft but strong monolithic ‘sandcastle’ largely out of a singular building material – Peterson bricks. Luigi: The home occupies three storeys that tower castle-like above the street. Far from being domineering it is softened by the colour and textures of the materials. Handmade bricks in a light colour mix were used as a traditional building material and to create screens that provide shade and access to natural light. The riot of native planting and meandering pathway softens the lines. Luigi: Materials must be considered as salt air can be very corrosive and they should provide adequate protection from and access to the elements. Romy: Aspect and views are key. Not overstuffing or over-furnishing is important. We saw the role of the interior as supporting the architectural response to the site, creating a language that has its own gently confident personality but doesn’t cry for attention. Romy: Our combined response was a unique home that was uncomplicated and young at heart. Mid-century overtones were referenced subtly throughout. Limewashed Peterson bricks – the dominant material – are contrasted with shimmering textures of silvery mirrored glass in areas such as the kitchen, and pops of cobalt and marigold in the art and furniture. This creates a playfulness that overlays the natural and nourishing palette of milk and honey. Romy: I love the soft texture of the bricks contrasted with strong forms and the colour of the art and furniture. It’s fresh but grounded, contrasting but calm, so there is a gentle tension between these elements. Luigi: There is a strong connection, in that the bricks used as the exterior construction material also form the interior walls throughout the main living areas, contributing to an air of robustness. Romy: Architecture and site always inform our selection. Classic furniture and lighting nods to mid-century design, not current trends, with finishes of travertine, smoked timbers and handmade Japanese tiles in the bathrooms to complement the soft edges of the architecture and embrace an organic feel. Through ‘pop’ art, a story of colour unfolds as an overlay to the materiality which responds to light and texture. Romy: They love the house and the response from their children was priceless. There is plenty of space for everyone to stretch out and grow. The interior spaces are functional yet playful and connected, reflecting how the family operates. They aren’t huge entertainers but use every part of this house.
