Hill House — Bellevue Hill

New Build

2019 Completion

600 SQM

Luigi Rosselli — Architect

Decus — Interior Design

Nicholas Watt — Photographer

Brief

Set on a narrow sloping site overlooking Sydney’s harbour in Bellevue Hill, our Client's brief was to build a forever home for their family of six. Luigi Roselli Architects sought to utilise the site’s elevation to capture the iconic harbour skyline and provide a sanctuary for the gathering, contemplation and relaxation of the home’s inhabitants. The scope was a new build and would incorporate three levels, five split levels and a lift. The layout consisted of a mix of generous, free-flowing zones offering dedicated spaces for the whole family.

The site itself was steep and made of sand with an extensive materials palette, many of which had to be craned in and required meticulous coordination of trades to meet the precise timings. Throughout the design, Luigi’s Roselli’s signature generous curves are visible and feature a contrasting suite of finishes which would require master craftsmanship application.

Outcome

A complex build, Hill House required exceptional collaboration to achieve the calibre of outcomes sought. The site conditions meant that the entire lower level had to be dug out with excavators into the existing hill, leaving the bottom half of the house partially underground for a period of time. Several of the sections of the curved zinc roofing needed to be pre-assembled off-site and welded together before they were craned in. Some of the sections also had to be folded specially to meet the curves, which all had to be done by hand.

At the lower rear a series of sandstone arch buttresses extend from the rumpus, anchoring the house and upper levels against the steep sloping site. Exemplifying the level of detail on this feature, we worked with the Stonemason to produce 27 individual templates to copy for each stone in each arch, so that all of the arches when looked at from every side looked the same.

The internal staircase connects all the zones of the home and is a key architectural feature. The sinuous curves were created by hand so that the spine of the house lines up precisely from top to bottom and allows light to filter generously throughout the home.

Working with Decus on the interior design and decoration provided additional elevation across the finer details. Bronze tapware and door hardware, bronze internals to the lift, electroplating to the joinery and bronze patina to all metal finishes, add warmth and refinement. The kitchen range hood is also wrapped in bronze electroplated metal, from which is cantilevered a marble shelf.

The final result is an Award winning Family home combining grand scale gestures and intricate details with birdseye panoramic views of an iconic harbour.