Project: Balgowlah House
Architecture: Watershed Architects
Builder: Urban Impact
Location: Australia
Year: 2021
Photo Credits: Simon Whitbread Photography
Balgowlah House by Watershed Architects is part of a residential project that transformed a single site into two separate lots, each with its own new three-bedroom residence. Designed to follow the natural slope of the land, the homes step down gracefully toward rear, north-facing gardens, ensuring optimal sunlight and a seamless connection to the outdoors.
Flexible Spaces for Modern Living
At the front of the home, a versatile room can function as a second living area, a home office, or a fourth bedroom, adapting to the changing needs of its occupants. The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area form the heart of the house, opening directly to the garden through a covered terrace. A double-height void above the dining area enhances the sense of space, drawing natural light deep into the interior and linking the upper-level bedrooms via an open, gallery-style hallway.
Light, Views, and Connection to the Outdoors
The stepped design ensures that both levels enjoy visual and physical access to the surrounding landscape. Large openings frame garden views, while the orientation toward the north maximizes daylight throughout the year. The covered terrace acts as an outdoor extension of the living space, ideal for relaxation and entertaining.
Durable Materials and Thoughtful Details
A carefully chosen material palette blends natural beauty with long-term performance. Natural timber, expressed structural steel, fibre cement panels, weatherboards, and aluminium window frames ensure durability and low maintenance. Sandstone salvaged from the base of the original house was repurposed for the landscape walls, adding texture and a sense of continuity with the site’s history.
The design of Balgowlah House demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can harmonize with the landscape, offer flexible living solutions, and create enduring value through material integrity and spatial quality.
