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A WAY, THE DESIGN OF THE
CHITECT’S OWN HOME IS A
STONE IN ANY CAREER. IN THE
ONAL REALM, IT REPRESENTS
MAJOR, ONE-OFF SPECIAL
,
ESTMENT. YOU REALLY WANT
DO IT ONCE AND DO IT WELL.
Matthew Pullinger, Architect
It’s a very successful strategy for Sydney’s climate, and as
well as being a courtyard house, it also happens to be a
terrace house typology, that can effectively be replicated
on similar blocks. The connection and engagement with the
environment is where this strategy really shines. The lower
level of the house opens up completely and reveals the full
dimension of the site on the perfect, Sydney spring day.
Essentially, we occupy the entire block of land and that
was where the idea of courtyards arose.
It’s a house with a more communal spirit of shared spaces
than separate, private rooms.
It’s a house that encourages us to share and it’s deliberately
modest when compared to other contemporary houses.
We have tried to make do with less house, but of better
quality. For instance, there are only three bedrooms in the
house, while we are a family of five. And having just one
family bathroom embodies the idea of sharing a home,
and at this point in our lives—before the kids are old
enough to move away—it brings us together as a family.