Double vision

Two in one has a special significance for this home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. One of a pair by the same practice, it also has both public and private personas.

- CHRIS PEARSON

Intriguingly, this smart home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is two houses in one. From the street, it makes a bold statement, with a striking curved facade that soaks up views of Sydney Harbour. But behind its public persona, it reveals itself as a private and serene sanctuary focused on a rear garden that’s bliss for a young family.

When Bruce Stafford of Stafford Architecture first visited the site in 2018, he was offered a once-in-a-career opportunity. Two generations of one family had bought two prime properties side by side, intent on building two startlingly different houses with one overriding common element – that is, to optimise the mouthwatering views of Sydney Harbour and the Bridge.

The results testify to the practice’s flexibility and versatility. The house of the older generation celebrates crisp right angles, and this, occupied by the younger generation, embraces flowing curves and tactile textures that are geared to family living.

“They are a close family and wanted to live near to each other, but they also have different personalities and visions for what they wanted a house to achieve, with two very clear and different architectural narratives,” says Bruce.

But two existing 1980s houses sitting side by side, both of which had seen better days, would suit neither, so in came the bulldozers. The owners of this home asked Bruce and project architect Erik Smithson to replicate one striking original feature. “They wanted to reinstate the Mediterranean-style roof terrace to optimise that view,” says Erik. Off the wish-list was a pool, which would swallow precious play space for a growing family.