Hillside Sydney Home by SAOTA

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Justin Alexander

Award-winning architectural firm SAOTA‘s first completed project in Sydney, Australia is a bold, contemporary home on the slopes of Mosman, a suburb on the lower north shore of the city. 

The design makes use of the property’s unique position: Recessed into the hillside, it sits on two adjacent sites and boasts wonderful views of the bay. This is all in evidence from the moment you enter, arriving in the double-volume entrance space with eastern views through the house to Sydney Harbour and beyond.

The site, which is accessible from two streets, allowed for the home to be split over two levels. The entrance is on the upper level, where guests walk over a bridge above the garden, and access to parking garages is on the lower street. Depending on your vantage, the sculptured facade is either bold or understated.

SAOTA worked with Sydney-based TKD Architects to realise the design, which was then expanded on through the sophisticated interiors by Alexandra Kidd Design. A contemporary use of materials sees natural sandstone, abundant in the area, used as cladding alongside modern concrete. The pale sandstone is offset with warm textures of wood and bronze used for internal cladding and screens. Offering aesthetic appeal as well as privacy, the angled bronzed louvres capitalise on the views, while minimising views inwards.

The home comprises five bedrooms, a sauna, gym, wine cellar and fully equipped cinema room. To make the most of the views and promote an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, there’s ample outdoor living and entertaining space on the main upper level – a covered outdoor lounge and dining area, as well as bedrooms that float above the underlying platforms.

Water has been used to reference the harbour and the main terrace is wrapped with a shallow water feature. On the lower level, a covered area offers more easy indoor-outdoor living. It leads to the dark granite pool and hot tub and uncovered deck, ideal for enjoying Sydney’s temperate climate.

SAOTA has an international footprint in more than 86 countries. View more of its projects in Miami, Bali and LA here.