A sandcastle in more than name, this multi- level home nestled into a steep site combines beachy colours with clear views of sea and sky.

Built on a 45-degree sand embankment, this Sydney house is aptly named Sandcastle. Its forms rise steeply, well above the entry level of the block, with the home accessed via a gated opening in a heavy stone wall that leads to an open stair with roped handrail. Or, on inclement days, a deep blue coloured tunnel from the garage offers access to a lift to the lower ground or ground floors. These levels open to the view and the sun, but also offer a precious, north-facing outdoor terrace, free of slope and grassed for play and relaxation. Equally, a roof garden and pool are formed on the upper floors to provide further respite from the hill and to soften the view across the built forms. Taking cues from the act of rising up through this site, the interiors of each level offer distinct character as the occupant gets closer to water and sky views. Externally, the masonry walls with sections of brise soleil also offer a subtle nod to the soft texture and carved indentations of sand creations.

The bathrooms throughout the project are crisply detailed, with luxurious marble and tile selections that respond to being deep down within the body of the site or hovering high above the landscape on the top floor. The lower ground bathroom is a deep, steely blue, with similarly toned Japanese finger tiles wrapping the vanity. The bathroom on the ground (middle) floor is more earthy in tone, with timber panelling matched to a travertine vanity. On the upper floors, white finger tiles create an overall impression of lightness.

The kitchen sits at the most pivotal location in the home: the head of the stairs, overlooking the outdoor and indoor living areas and providing views through the dining and lounge to the bay in the south east. The long, timberclad kitchen bench and stone benchtop form a front-of-house with much going on behind – a butler’s pantry, laundry and powder room are accessible from this area, with several points of egress onto the outdoor terrace. Timber is the predominant joinery material, with mirror-backed reeded glass forming a contrast to the earthy materials and a shimmery backdrop to the activity of the kitchen. Through all of these zones of the house, the distinctive, soft texture of handmade bricks offers a stable baseline, allowing luxury materials, brightly coloured artworks and unique pieces of furniture to feature.

Internal walls: Dulux ‘Natural White’ paint finish

Flooring: European Oak flooring in ‘Chamoisee’ from Tongue n Groove

Joinery: American white oak timber veneer joinery from Briggs Veneers; Vestri Silver travertine benchtop from Granite and Marble Works; Viridian Broadline Glass

Lighting: Specified Store Barn Light pendant; Lambert and Fils Waldorf Suspension Double Light pendant from Living Edge

Sinks and tapware: Gessi City Stik kitchen mixer in ‘Brushed Nickel’ and Schock Euro Round Bowl Alpina from Candana

Appliances: Smeg integrated dishwasher; Wolf built-in oven and induction cooktop; Quasair under-cupboard rangehood; Sub-Zero integrated freezer and refrigerator

Furniture: Cappellini Outlet Hi Pad Stool from Cult; Luca Nichetto for De La Espada Marlon Dining Table from Spence and Lyda; ClassiCon Eileen Gray Roquebrune chair from Anibou

Internal walls: Inax Yohen Border tiles from Artedomus; Porter’s Paints ‘Antique Blue’ (lower ground-floor bathroom), Dulux ‘Natural White’ paint finish; Western red cedar in Diamond Cladd profile from Cedar Sales

Flooring: Road Trip tile from Fibonacci Stone; Vestri Silver travertine tile from Granite and Marble Works

Joinery: Inax Yohen Border tiles from Artedomus; Vestri Silver travertine benchtop and joinery from Granite and Marble Works; American white oak timber veneer joinery from Briggs Veneers

Lighting: Joe Columbo for Oluce Fresnel wall light from Euroluce; Viabizzuno and Neri and Hu Sul Sole Va pendant light; Allied Maker Flush Dome 08 wall light

Tapware and fittings: Brodware tapware, shower rose and hand shower in ‘Brushed Nickel’ from Candana

Sanitaryware: Brodware toilet roll holder and towel rails and Vola robe hook, all in ‘Brushed Nickel’ from Candana

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03 1 Terrace 2 Living 3 Fireplace 4 Dining 5 Kitchen 6 Pantry 7 Landing 8 Lift 9 Courtyard 10 Laundry 11 Powder room 12 Hallway 13 Stair 1 14 Stair 2 15 Roof garden 16 Main bedroom 17 Robe 18 Main ensuite 19 Linen 20 Bedroom 21 Bathroom 22 Ensuite 23 Playroom 24 Deck 25 Pool

03 The home’s colour and texture palette evokes a sophisticated sandcastle. Artwork: Stephen Ormandy. 05 Situated beside the stairwell, the kitchen anchors the interior living spaces. 05

04 The timber-clad kitchen bench offers a front-of-house zone, with pantry and laundry behind. 04

06 06 Natural light meets luxurious materials in the main ensuite. 07 Each bathroom’s palette reflects its level in the home, with light colours “floating” upward and dark tones anchoring the lower floors. 08 Earthy timber panelling embraces a travertine vanity in the powder room.

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