Completed: 2007

Steeply sloping bushland sites are usually blessed with dramatic views. The trade off, however, is the obvious: a lack of flat land for recreation and entertaining. So when designing this house at Allambie Heights we started with a huge open deck and planned the house from there. The view is appreciated immediately on arrival, after climbing the equivalent of three flights of stairs to the front door.

The house itself is as dramatic as the site and the view. Ordered round a central entry, the ground floor boasts a large home office come rumpus area to the west, and a spacious open plan living, dining and kitchen area to the east. Upstairs, four bedrooms capitalise on the views, with the master having an ensuite with private outdoor courtyard. A children’s play room is afforded a timber and steel bridge across to the only piece of naturally flat land on the site.

High windows and large eaves overhang characterise both the ground floor and bedroom level, affording captivating views across Allenby Park while shielding the house from the harsh summer sun. The bold use of colour adds to the drama. Oversized down pipes and gutters ensure the roof drainage system never fails.