At One With the Landscape – Bangalley by Casey Brown Architecture

When Casey Brown Architecture was first briefed on this project, the instruction was to “do the site justice, be part of nature and make sure it will last 100 years.” Bangalley is the end result of that daunting brief.

A home inspired by its location, perched on a monolithic headland of sandstone and shale, Bangally was designed for a couple of journalist empty-nesters. Its exterior, with impressive views of the Pacific Ocean from the North Sydney beachside suburb of Avalon, is a rugged and robust response to its environment.

The property is constrained by three massive Norfolk pines, bushland with a Flame Zone Bushfire Attack Level and a sheer cliff edge, meaning that council approval was complex. Highly visible from the popular beach below, the architects sought to capitalise on the dramatic coastline views afforded the site.

“Do the site justice, be part of nature and make sure it will last 100 years.”

The scale, form and material palette selected work in harmony with the location. Cantilevered terraces and balconies combine with deep recessed openings to ensure light and shadow play emphasises the façade. Five attached pavilions form the house and capitalise on its best assets – the long distance southern coastal view and immediate western beach view.

Vertically, the floor plan provides three distinct living zones across each floor: the private master suite is situated on the top floor, before making way to the ground floor garden level below, which consists of the primary communal areas, including the kitchen, dining and living room. The living room features fully retractable doors to two sides, made possible by a load-defying brass clad post and allowing for panoramic corner views. A cavernous lower level, which houses guest rooms tucked into the rock face surrounding the house, rounds out the accommodation.

A home inspired by its location, perched on a monolithic headland of sandstone and shale, Bangally was designed for a couple of journalist empty-nesters.

Outside, a sheltered garden court, dominated by one of the Norfolk pines, leads to a vaulted entry canopy that projects into the courtyard, with a natural sandstone column found on site supporting the entry so that it seems to float. The concrete skeleton, engineered by Ken Murtagh, provides the property with ample protection from sun and rain, whilst reflecting the horizontal layering of cliff face below.

Constructed from smoky burnt grey and black bricks externally with white bricks inside, the building materiality is raw, as per the client’s brief. The richness of colour and texture provided by these materials create a play of patterns as the sun moves around the building across the day. Stone floors seek to reinforce the earthy materiality, while vaulted timber ceilings allow for south-facing rooms to be flooded with light and sun. Fine brass railings, which allow for views through to the ocean and heathland, will mellow in the sea air.

What is most impressive about Bangalley, however, is how the finely crafted central concrete staircase connects all of these areas across the three levels. Offering a central hub of activity, its brass sculptured screen, designed by Caroline Casey, serves as a reminder of the highly resolved and detailed joinery throughout the house, befitting of a house designed to last 100 years.

The scale, form and material palette selected work in harmony with the location