2009 Mosman House (Sydney)

Architectural Team: Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal

ExhibitionsJohn Curtin Gallery- Structuring Perception: architectural projects by Pendal and Neille March 2010

Located on the ridge in Mosman, looking over Middle Harbour, this house is governed by a rich interior that seeks to draw its landscaped edges into the house’s core.  This core or centre is manifest as timber-lined rooms with arms that extend outwards, thus drawing the landscape within.  These rooms; the ground floor dining room and upper floor living room, resemble a cross or ‘starfish’.  These spaces are extended to the north, south, east and west edges of the house.  Each arm responds to its own site and landscape condition- the view, terrace, balcony and pool to the north, a grove of trees to the south, the entry way and rock face to the east, and the cooling breeze to the west.  This strategy will assist in the passive heating and cooling of the house and responds directly to the sub-tropical climate of Sydney.A double-car garage is nestled into the rock face below and is topped with a gravel garden and green roof.