Textural Grounding – Earth-Ship by Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors

Lengthening an existing vertical expression, Earth-Ship is formally reworked to create a more meaningful connection to the ground below and engage with the surrounding landscape. Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors combine to navigate the unique conditions of the site, elongating the form and ensuring optimal visual access remains out over the water in front.

Woven into a dramatically sloping site in Mosman, Earth-Ship sees the transformation of an existing home from the late 20th century into a warm and anchored residence that connects both internally and between inside and out. In its individuality, the form is extended downward, adding two additional levels below the existing form to optimise the outlooks from each level and to better integrate the formal elements into the landscape. Using mostly masonry, the weighted nature of the home becomes an expression of its gesture to firmly integrate into the soil, while also adding a textural depth as the backdrop to the everyday. With architecture by Luigi Rosselli Architects and interior design by Alwill Interiors, the resulting home is a unique and refreshing addition.

Woven into a dramatically sloping site in Mosman, Earth-Ship sees the transformation of an existing home from the late 20th century into a warm and anchored residence that connects both internally and between inside and out.

The Sydney urban landscape commonly sees vertically lengthened homes that stack functionality over several levels to emphasise increased access to views throughout. Wanting to steer away from this typology and instead respond in a way that listened to and countered the natural shape of the site, Earth-Ship alters slightly in experience from one level to the next, as the home burrows further into the rocky site. Accessed from the uppermost level, which aligns with the street, the scale of the structure is best experienced through the central and connecting staircase, which is flooded with light from the skylight opening overhead. Running through the centre, its presence reinforces a core around which all other functions of the home pivot.

Using rammed earth with a pigment added to resemble a dusted and earthy pink, the structural elements of the main supporting walls are also left exposed internally. Together with smooth plastered walls, both curved and linear elements combine throughout the various levels and take on an almost nautical sensibility, together with the use of timber. As an outpost of sorts, the height of the home aims to create a connection to the surrounds. The combination of the interior’s warmth and the nuances of the masonry walls is coupled with a lush and dense natural setting that has been emphasised by formally designed garden and terrace spaces throughout.

The combination of the interior’s warmth and the nuances of the masonry walls is coupled with a lush and dense natural setting that has been emphasised by formally designed garden and terrace spaces throughout.

Balancing the openness beyond the glazed façade to the front of the home, Earth-Ship sits firmly in place through an embedded warmth and robust quality. Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors express a boldness through form that ensures the creation of a building with its own unique character.