Nestled within a tight ten-metre-wide site along Sydney’s iconic coastline, this bespoke home by Alec Pappas Architects was designed to embrace its breathtaking surrounds while addressing significant architectural challenges. The project required a delicate balance between capturing expansive northern views of the ocean and establishing a private, functional outdoor retreat at the rear.
The clients sought a home that maximised its stunning views while ensuring seamless indoor-outdoor connections. The best vantage points for the coastline – including the striking Wedding Cake Island and the northern headland of Bondi – were available only from an elevated position, yet the street level sat two storeys below. Furthermore, to maintain privacy and consistency with the surrounding streetscape, the most practical location for the pool and courtyard was at the rear of the property.
To achieve those views, the primary living spaces were positioned on the upper level, where large expanses of glass frame panoramic ocean views. A carefully curated transition leads to the rear, where an expansive alfresco entertaining area, complete with an operable roof and outdoor kitchenette, offers a sheltered summer sanctuary – an essential feature for this coastal setting.
The home was designed to respect and respond to its context. Its form is designed to integrate with the established streetscape while maintaining privacy for both the residents and their neighbours. Sensitive massing and considered articulation ensure that the design enhances, rather than imposes upon, its surroundings.
Given the home’s exposed coastal location, the material selection prioritised durability while seeking to evoke a timeless elegance. Externally, a blend of natural stone and pigmented acrylic renders – chosen for their resilience and low maintenance – anchors the home within its setting. Crisp, white-painted walls then add a fresh, contemporary coastal aesthetic.
Internally, a refined palette of warm-grey textured porcelain tiles, natural marble surfaces and woodgrain veneer joinery strikes a balance between warmth, sophistication and a contemporary edge. Accents of vibrant colour punctuate the space, injecting personality and a sense of place.
In terms of spatial planning, the home’s layout was meticulously arranged to foster a natural and intuitive flow between levels. The upper-level living spaces celebrate the extraordinary views, while the ground level establishes a strong indoor-outdoor connection with the courtyard and pool area. This multi-level approach ensures that every space – whether used for entertaining, relaxation or day-to-day family life – feels connected to both its natural surroundings and the architectural vision.
Through a thoughtful interplay of form, materiality and spatial organisation, this home delivers an immersive coastal living experience that is both highly functional and breathtakingly beautiful.
