Vertical Integration – Manly Beach House by CHROFI

Manly Beach House sees CHROFI merge character and form with new open and closed spaces throughout by acknowledging the existing midcentury brick home on site. CHROFI expands on an established form grounded in place and integrates a more traditional coastal palette comprised of soft, muted layers.

Located on the east coast of New South Wales, Manly Beach House sits on a sloping site and optimises views out towards the distant coastline. Wanting to retain the home’s existing brick structure, the new elements are considered an extension of the established form, integrating the old with the new whilst creating a noticeable contrast between eras. Marked by an open courtyard, the transition into the new volume was taken as an opportunity to bring natural light deeper into the centre of the dwelling whilst allowing it to breathe. In celebrating the climate and outdoor living in Sydney, being able to naturally cool and ventilate the residence was key to the design approach. CHROFI staggers the functions of the home across multiple levels, nestling the form into the sandstone-based site.

In celebrating the climate and outdoor living in Sydney, being able to naturally cool and ventilate the residence was key to the design approach.

Needing additional and extensive excavation to expand the footprint and liveability of the residence, the architects focused on bridging the significant drop from the uppermost part of the street through to the beach level below. Wanting to retain access on these opposing sides, some five storeys in difference provided their own challenges. Through the creation of a series of levelled platforms both enclosed and open spaces flow between one another across the site. Spanning from the newly defined courtyard, the main living areas all connect around one pivotal core, allowing the existing living and family spaces to take centrestage, which was a priority for the owners.

With a commercial-grade elevator providing ease of access across the levels, embedding this same sentiment throughout was key. Opening and allowing for greater visual and spatial connections underpinned the approach. Aligned along Manly, the end result of the residence sees the landscape play a role in informing the palette and materiality. Together with references to the existing form, the spaces emphasise a generosity and sense of scale through a lightness, emphasised through increased access to natural light and views beyond. Timber and stone bring textural nuances, adding a richness to the finishes and surfaces throughout.

Together with references to the existing form, the spaces emphasise a generosity and sense of scale through a lightness, emphasised through increased access to natural light and views beyond.

Manly Beach House expands on the legacy already in place and optimises the verticality of its site. By activating the various outdoor spaces, CHROFI animates and increases the potential of the home as a conduit for the Sydney lifestyle.