Tennyson Court House

Seemingly growing organically from its site, this house is embedded into the hillside, utilising the cutting from an abandoned quarry as a means of developing the steep east-facing site.

The key design move was to create a central light court, with living and sleeping spaces distributed either side to enable sun to penetrate into all areas of the house.

Pre-cast concrete retaining walls go beyond their structural necessity to become the language of the house. A lift helps negotiate the steep site and anticipates the ability for aging in place.

Lower levels contain bedrooms, bathrooms, service areas and a guest lounge with the light court doubling as the main external play space for children.

The main living space tops the house, benched into the quarry with sun, views and access to generous outdoor entertaining areas. A versatile family home on a challenging site.