Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Beach House With Curves in All the Right Places
A coastal concrete unipod built on a steep escarpment makes a statement in a sought-after Sydney suburb by the sea
Tama’s Tee Home, so called for its location in Sydney’s beachside suburb of Tamarama and its t-shaped design, was constructed on the solid and reusable remains of the original house that stood on the steep and narrow site. The best way to accommodate the needs and wants of a family of three and their guests was to build a concrete unipod that rested its full weight on the garage structure below it.
Narrow houses hunch together on the headlands overlooking Tamarama Beach. They seem to jostle for pole position, seeking uninterrupted ocean views. Architect Luigi Rosselli redesigned this home with the vista, steep slope, and the weather in mind, along with the client brief – this family loves to entertain, but also loves the beach, so the house needed to be both practical and pretty.
After demolishing about 40 percent of the house, it was redesigned to fit into the hillside with four storeys maximising every bit of space.
“The most challenging aspect of the project was working with the existing structure,” says Rosselli. “In comparison with the house that was originally on the site, the build looks like a completely new build, however we retained over 60 percent of the original structures including the street-level garage, the retaining wall and a number of internal walls in the house.”
The new additions were built over the existing garage and sandstone retaining wall, balancing on a t-shaped concrete pillar splayed out to carry the main living level of the house.
“The most challenging aspect of the project was working with the existing structure,” says Rosselli. “In comparison with the house that was originally on the site, the build looks like a completely new build, however we retained over 60 percent of the original structures including the street-level garage, the retaining wall and a number of internal walls in the house.”
The new additions were built over the existing garage and sandstone retaining wall, balancing on a t-shaped concrete pillar splayed out to carry the main living level of the house.
Salt, humidity and wind can wreak havoc on oceanside homes, so weather resistance was an important consideration in the design, material selection and construction phases of this project.
Concrete, marine-grade roofing materials and stainless-steel fixings were all chosen for their robust qualities.
Concrete, marine-grade roofing materials and stainless-steel fixings were all chosen for their robust qualities.
Curved corners have become a signature Luigi Rosselli design trait, the concrete curves formed in this case with wood-grained boards. CNC-routed marine plywood shutters can slide in front of the windows and terrace to provide protection from the sun and wind as needed for the covered outdoor dining area.
From the dining area – ideal for entertaining much of the year – the shutters provide protection but don’t block out the view. From the street, however, the shutters screen the area, which houses a Carrara marble dining table, from prying eyes.
Gian Franco Legler Basket Chairs: Spence & Lyda
Gian Franco Legler Basket Chairs: Spence & Lyda
Project architect Raffaello Rosselli added detailing and materials in line with the refined beach house aesthetic the clients wanted, opting for natural materials, exposed roof framing and light finishes. The custom-designed shutters allow dappled and ever-changing light to filter in to the interiors, controlled further with light and breezy curtains.
Sepia Grande Eterno engineered floorboards: Tongue n Groove
Sepia Grande Eterno engineered floorboards: Tongue n Groove
The ceiling joists feature traditional criss-cross braces.
Oyster Chair by Pierre Paulin: Spence & Lyda; Ribbed Wool Nodi Rug: Spence & Lyda
Oyster Chair by Pierre Paulin: Spence & Lyda; Ribbed Wool Nodi Rug: Spence & Lyda
Norfolk pines thrive on the salt- ravaged escarpments of Tamarama, providing a vertical contrast against the horizontal line of horizon. “The Romans liked orthogonality,” says Luigi Rosselli. “Horizons had to have vertical contrasting lines, often provided by obelisks or columns. Seascapes also require vertical elements, such as this tree or a sailing mast.”
Bernard Schottlander Mantis floor lamp: Spence & Lyda
Bernard Schottlander Mantis floor lamp: Spence & Lyda
A standout feature of the third level is the sculptural fireplace, named Rorschach Blotch by the architect for its resemblance to an inkblot in a Rorschach psychological test. The freeform gas fireplace sits in the centre of the space, serving the dining room, kitchen and TV room.
Further sculptural interest has been added in the dining area with a pendant that wows.
Oracle pendant light: Christopher Boots; painting: Joshua Yeldham
Oracle pendant light: Christopher Boots; painting: Joshua Yeldham
The kitchen island echoes the curves of the fireplace. The laboratory-grade, reconstituted stone benchtop by Stone Italia has a matt finish – a departure from the glossy benchtops typical in most homes. Building With Options, the project’s builder, constructed the kitchen joinery.
The floor presented another opportunity to show off some curves.
The uber-stylish powder room is sandwiched between the laundry and butler’s pantry.
A two-car garage and cellar are housed in the basement, with lift access to the three levels overhead.
The self-contained ground-floor level has a future-proof, flexible layout with the same indoor/outdoor living areas as the rest of the house. It currently serves as a teenagers’ pad. The plunge pool is also on this level.
The third level contains a bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, the laundry, and the shared living spaces.
The top floor houses the fourth bedroom, study, and master suite – complete with private terrace and dressing room.
Stairs from the main living areas descend to the teenagers’ retreat.
Luigi likens the curved junction between the pillar and beam to the junction of the nose to the eyebrows. The openings frame the ocean and hillside views. This is the covered terrace of the rumpus room on the ground floor.
‘Memory Mood’ cement-coloured vitrified ceramic floor tiles: Terra Nova Tiles
‘Memory Mood’ cement-coloured vitrified ceramic floor tiles: Terra Nova Tiles
The master suite features a double vanity in the bedroom and ensuite behind.
Penny round tiles and those telltale curves make this an eye-catching feature of the main bedroom, and completely unexpected.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments, and don’t forget to like the story, save the photos and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? You’ll love last week’s Houzz Tour of an Edwardian cottage in Melbourne that received a nip, a tuck and a rear extension.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments, and don’t forget to like the story, save the photos and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great design? You’ll love last week’s Houzz Tour of an Edwardian cottage in Melbourne that received a nip, a tuck and a rear extension.
Who lives here: A family of beach lovers who enjoy hosting a good party. The homeowners have a teenage daughter and a dog
Location: Tamarama, NSW
Size: 300 square metres, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, one powder room
Architecture and interior design: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Builder: Building With Options
Photography: Prue Ruscoe and Edward Birch
“Our favourite part of the home is the way the structure balances on one ‘foot’, like a concrete ballerina,” says architect Luigi Rosselli. He also loves the finish on the boarded concrete, created using off-white cement and grained timber formwork. “It lends the house a beachy feel despite the material not being traditionally associated with the beach. We also like the way this feeling is continued through the interior spaces, providing a real sense of place to the finished home.”