Nestled on a sunny corner block in Manly, this semi-detached home reimagines coastal living through a thoughtful blend of sustainability, warmth, and artistry. The brief called for a design that respected the home’s original character while introducing a natural, confident, and organic new layer — something that could quietly say, “look how clever and beautiful I am” without shouting.
Central to the design response was to provide the best possible passive solar house, maximising gardens and maximising the dwellings connection to outdoor spaces.
The design takes full advantage of the site’s northern orientation and corner position, transforming what was once a closed, introverted house into a home that opens to the sun, air, and garden. The design takes full advantage of the corner block and its northern aspect.
The northern façade facing the street becomes a focus in engaging passers by, containing adjustable openings, a green roof, planted fences, a communal garden and a mixed palette of recycled materials.
An upper level deck with adjustable awning takes advantage of the ocean views, and acts as a way to ventilate the house, capturing the north easterlies during summer.
All bedrooms are separated from each other to ensure privacy.
The party wall, the shared domain of the semi, has an additional skin of recycled brick to improve the acoustics and provided thermal mass.
The materials are chosen for their ability to patina over time, and for the recycled nature.
Sustainability Features
- passive solar design
- cross ventilation during summer, solar penetration during winter
- low-e, acoustic glazing for windows and doors
- high levels of insulation
- thermal mass (concrete floors, recycled brick and green roof)
- energy efficient lighting , taps and appliances
- native landscaping
- water storage for re-use for laundry and toilets
- solar panels and battery storage
- planter boxes for growing vegetables and herbs
- recycled timber, brick and glass.
