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design
mag |
43
Sydney architect Jon King discusses the challenges
and rewards of designing a family home in one of
Australia’s most densely populated suburbs.
KING HIT
With natural advantages of orientation and
prospect, one suspects that prior to the
arrival of Europeans, Elizabeth Bay was a
sunny, protected and abundant place for
the indigenous Gadigal people to live and
commune.
In 1826 Governor Darling granted Elizabeth
Bay to Alexander Macleay. Soon after, a sea
wall was built across the bay establishing an
estate of 54 acres featuring the beautiful
Elizabeth Bay House, which some say is the
finest house in Australia.
The site for our project was a later subdivision
of the original estate and over time a dense
city has grown up around this quiet harbour
beach.Today Elizabeth Bay is among
Australia’s most densely populated and
highly-urbanised areas.
To build a house on this site was a privilege
but also a significant challenge for both the
architect and builder. Planning and
construction was complicated by the site’s
narrow width, its limited use set by covenants
and easements, and very restricted access.
Added to this were the presence of heritage
buildings and landscape features on or
adjacent to the site, and simply the density of
population living in apartment buildings
surrounding and overlooking the site.
Our client wanted a house that would add
positively to the streetscape and connect the
occupants to this rich and varied context
while also providing a private and secluded
inner world. It was to be a modern house
beautifully crafted with excellent materials
and finish but with an ancient air.