everyday life occurs on a platform overlooking the sea Designed with the peculiarities of the site and on a sliver of land, the carved white exterior of this award-winning house is a landmark on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk in Sydney. The ground floor is a transparent platform, with large sliding and pivoting glass doors. The basement level is a watery grotto, sandstone carved away to create space, with water pools, shafts of light and strong colours. The bedroom level, a protective cocoon, is a long linear box with light scoops to frame and control views, privacy and sunlight. At roof level sits a belvedere accessible via a narrow curved stair, a small deck, with built in timber seating and a fireplace, that provides spectacular ocean views. Green features include photovoltaic panels, orientation, rain water and recycled materials. The house allows living and working options on different levels, maximising the small narrow site whilst injecting some fun and fantasy.

Client: Chris Elliott Location: Sydney, Australia Landscape Architects: Terragram Pty Ltd Main Contractor: Hodge Build Pty Ltd Structural Engineer: O'Hearn Consulting Hydraulic  Engineers: Buckton Lysenko Pty Ltd Size: 250 m2 Status: Built, 2012 Photos: Richard Glover