Zig Zag House by Stukel Architecture

Named after its distinctively dynamic architecture, Zig Zag House playfully disrupts the restrained language of the Kensington built environment. Designed by Stukel Architecture, the structure hints at the endless capacity of craft to realise an architect’s vision.

Located in the Sydney suburb of Kensington, Zig Zac House strongly differs from the residential cottages of the area, marking the introduction of contemporary architecture into the urban milieu. The design brief detailed an inspiring residence; emerging from the reimagination of the pre-existing home, Stukel Architecture enhances the home’s engagement with its natural surroundings, pursuing a creative design with a striking formal presence.

Architecturally, Zig Zag House reflects the movement of the natural waterway that flows through the landscape and connects Centennial Park and Botany Bay.

Architecturally, Zig Zag House reflects the movement of the natural waterway that flows through the landscape and connects Centennial Park and Botany Bay. Adding an impressive overhang to the western orientation of the home, Stukel Architecture refers to the water through the underside of the structure, proposing an angular interpretation of its movement. Skilfully executed by AJP Constructions, the overhang appears to float above the remainder of the house – as if made buoyant by an imagined watery context.

The functionality of Zig Zag House is enabled by its aesthetic peculiarity, as precisely situated levels respond to the sloping nature of the site. Connecting the different levels is a luxuriously broad set of stairs – comprised of off-form concrete, the feature creates the ideal connection between old and new within the home. Inserted into the staircase is a large blade column that replicates the solid visual impact of the exterior internally, imbuing the home with a sense of consistency and balance. In the internal aspect of the overhang, the pleated ceiling provides an energising means of delineating the lounge, kitchen and dining spaces

Although the ceiling is made of mere plasterboard, its taped and set edges enable it to take on an intriguing monolithic character, akin to concrete.

Zig Zag House sees a traditional material palette reinvented, subverting expectations. Although the ceiling is made of mere plasterboard, its taped and set edges enable it to take on an intriguing monolithic character, akin to concrete. A seamless quality is inhered in the venetian plaster blade column, while a concrete wall is marked to resemble a particular grain of timber, which is then referenced in the window sill treatment. In a novel design move, large structural columns are given a CD plywood finish, embracing the surprising visual subtleties afforded by the engineered wood.

As a successful collaboration between Stukel Architecture and AJP Constructions, Zig Zag House emerges as a bespoke and sculptural response to its site. Its distinctive form marks the introduction of contemporary and bold design within the surrounding suburban landscape.