Inspired by Japanese design principles, Japan House is a finely crafted pavilion addition to a 1920s Californian Bungalow on Sydney’s lower north shore – a refined structure that skilfully entwines natural materials, light and landscape.
Architecture firm
Sandbox Studio®
Location
Willoughby East, New South Wales, Australia
Principal architect
Luke Carter
Design team
Luke Carter, Dain McClure-Thomas
Collaborators
Megan Morton STYLIST
Interior design
Sandbox Studio
Structural engineer
BMY Building Consultants
Supervision
JCG Australia
Visualization
Sandbox Studio
Construction
JCG Australia
Material
Cedar Cladding, Timber frame, Concrete slab
Typology
Residential › House
Turf Design Studio, Cox Architecture and Chada have collaborated to deliver a new eco-luxe retreat in one of Sydney’s most iconic destinations. Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat is part of a $164.5M development program between Taronga Zoo and the NSW Government to improve the famous tourist site over the next 10 years.
Project name
Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat
Architecture firm
Cox Architecture
Location
Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
Photography
Mike Chorley, Guy Wilkinson, David Li
Collaborators
Green & Dale Associates (Exhibition Consultant)
Landscape
Turf Design Studio
Typology
Hospitality › Hotel, Retreat
Owen and Tom, a young professional couple, engaged Sandbox Studio to transform their rundown Victorian terrace in Paddington, Sydney, into a modern home, while restoring its heritage character. We designed a minimalist alteration and addition, increasing the space and light without overdeveloping the site.
Project name
Paddo Terrace
Architecture firm
Sandbox Studio®
Location
Paddington, New South Wales, Australia
Principal architect
Dain McClure-Thomas, Luke Carter
Collaborators
Megan Morton STYLIST (Stylist)
Interior design
Sandbox Studio
Civil engineer
Ross Engineers
Structural engineer
Ross Engineers
Visualization
Sandbox Studio
Construction
Ryan Jones Building Company
Material
Brick, timber frame
Typology
Residential › House
Proving that well-designed home renovations are more cost-effective than moving, the latest home project by Sandbox Studio turns a 2.5-bedroom 1920s bungalow into a light-filled 4-bedroom family home.
Project name
Maison de Famille
Architecture firm
Sandbox Studio®
Location
Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia
Photography
Campaigntrack
Principal architect
Dain McClure-Thomas, Luke Carter
Collaborators
Guenther Urban Projects (Project Management)
Interior design
Sandbox Studio®
Civil engineer
Ross Engineers
Structural engineer
Ross Engineers
Landscape
Sandbox Studio®
Supervision
Guenther Urban Projects
Construction
Balmain Building Group Pty Ltd
Material
Retaining existing fabric where possible. Exposed, painted brickwork to rear living room. Exposed steel to rear living room and staircase, creating an industrial aesthetic. Glass. Re-finished and restored existing timber flooring.
Typology
Residential › House
A lean, green granny flat offers a fresh take on multi-generational living. Annangrove, NSW – The Hills District. The latest project by Sandbox Studio is a compact ‘forever house’ designed for a couple of retirees. Its environmental design and space-efficient planning make excellent use of the site, allowing them to live near their children and giv...
Project name
Fundamental House
Architecture firm
Sandbox Studio®
Location
The Hills District , Annangrove, New South Wales, Australia
Principal architect
Luke Carter, Dain McClure Thomas
Design team
Luke Carter, Dain McClure Thomas
Interior design
Sandbox Studio®
Civil engineer
E2 Civil & Structural Design
Structural engineer
E2 Civil & Structural Design
Landscape
Sandbox Studio Pty Ltd
Lighting
Sandbox Studio Pty Ltd
Construction
Owner-Builder
Material
The private pavilion (bedroom suite) was designed to be more solid and secluded, with the use of recycled brickwork, and less glazing. Whereas the public pavilion (kitchen/dining/living) was designed to feel more open and light, with more glazing, and clad with a contrasting metal cladding.
Budget
$400,000 including solar, water tanks, septic system, shed, landscaping.
Typology
Residential › House
Castle Cove alterations is a rear extension project of a family home in northern Sydney. The project involved the renovation of a 1970’s home to render it more suitable to the needs of family. The existing home did not relate to the sites slope or orientate to take advantage of passive solar design.
Project name
Castle Cove Alterations
Architecture firm
Chung Architects
Location
Castle Cove, New South Wales, Australia
Principal architect
Andrew Chung
Design team
Chung Architects
Interior design
Chung Architects
Built area
20 m² extension, total renovation 35 m²
Civil engineer
Fly Engineering
Structural engineer
Fly Engineering
Construction
Timber frame on concrete slab
Material
Steel, Concrete, Glass, Wood
Typology
Residential › House
The house is built entirely of concrete with a deliberately indeterminate form with no clear geometric figure – powerful on the one hand but equally never challenging the centrality of the landscape. The platform led to a clear arrangement of program – private functions downstairs and to the rear, and the gathering spaces for the family on the upp...
Project name
Castle Cove House
Architecture firm
Terroir
Location
Castle Cove, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Photography
Brett Boardman Photography
Principal architect
Scott Balmforth, Gerard Reinmuth
Interior design
TERROIR in collaboration with Pascale Gomes-McNabb Design
Structural engineer
Kevin Mongey Simpson Design Associates (SDA Structures)
Environmental & MEP
Steve Nee - CandSnee (Electrical), Innerwest Plumbing (Plumbing)
Lighting
TERROIR in collaboration with Pascale Gomes-McNabb Design
Material
Concrete, glass, wood, steel, stone
Typology
Residential › House
Circular Economy Villages (or CEVs) is a systems-based approach to living and land regeneration developed by Dr Steven Liaros, a town planner and political economist, together with water engineer Nilmini De Silva, directors of Australian town planning consultancy PolisPlan.
Project name
Spiral Village
Architecture firm
Valentino Gareri Atelier
Location
Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia
Tools used
Autodesk 3ds Max, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D
Principal architect
Valentino Gareri
Design team
Valentino Gareri Atelier, Polisplan
Visualization
Denis Guchev
Client
Polisplan (For Bellingen Council)
Typology
Mixed-Use Development
