A Home Designed as a Sand Castle That Sits at the Top of a Hill (House Tour)

Located in the exclusive bay area of Sydney Harbour, Sand Castle is a warm and playful three-storey house set apart by its detailing and calming views of the water. A home designed as a sand castle, the residence was devised by Luigi Rosselli Architects and Raffaello Rosselli Architect; the experience of designing the home is fondly described by Luigi Rosselli as sonata for piano – created by four hands. The building stands tall on its 45-degree slope; the site’s steep hill meant that access throughout the build was difficult. Likewise, the site was composed of sand, causing the ground to become considerably unstable, presenting multiple challenges throughout construction. As a home designed as an architectural sand castle, being connected to the site and its surrounding context allows the building to stand out against its neighbours. From street level, the home appears as a wall of bricks, submerged into the immediate greenery. Access from the street is via a spiral staircase, which rises above a retaining wall, and when arriving at the top there is an opportunity to look back over the exceptional views. Entry to the home is also available through a lift, which was constructed by tunnelling into the site. Spaces within the sand castle home are dictated by unusual angles, working in contrast to the solid nature of the built form. The spaces find balance, as would a sculpture, with furniture adding to the layered elements of the residence. The addition of shimmering...