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Northern Lights by Cadence & Co
On Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Cadence & Co overcomes a challenging site to create a subdued sanctuary that embraces its stunning natural environs.
To construct Northern Lights, a compact surfer’s haven on a sliver of land with spectacular views over Sydney’s coveted Palm Beach, multi-disciplinary practice Cadence & Co faced myriad challenges. Not only was the site both restrictively narrow and steep, it came with stability issues, was substantially overgrown and access was challenging. Biblical rains during construction added another layer of difficulty. “The outcome is testament to Cadence & Co’s whole team of architects, designers and builders, working together to overcome the challenges of geography and nature,” says the firms principal architect, Michael Kilkeary.
Complex construction and engineering – including extensive groundworks and geotechnical and structural works – sees the concrete and timber studio slotted between two existing residences and embracing a protected native cheese tree. A concrete driveway extends and dips to create the studio’s dramatic roofline and preserves the street view. The coastal locale dictated the choice of external materiality: off-form concrete, hardwood timber, copper, textured rendered walls. “Due to the harsh marine environment and with difficult access for ongoing maintenance, we opted for robust and long-lasting materials,” says project architect Natasha Grice. “Hardwoods and copper accents will age and patina gracefully with the life of the building, and will settle into the natural environment.”
While the building process was layered with complexity, the property itself is marked by a pared-back simplicity. The suspended studio sits under a curved concrete roofline and contains a separate study retreat and bathroom. Rather than internal stairs, the studio is accessed by an external staircase, a considered choice that “allows the internal rooms to be as wide as possible.” The balcony, which focuses north to capture the two-kilometre arc of Palm Beach, is framed by elegant timber slatted screens. “The screens provide privacy when you are standing on the balcony, while allowing diagonal views of both the ocean and rainforest,” says Natasha. “The design intent was for them to ‘float’ as lightweight insertions between the heavy horizontal planes of the concrete slabs.”
The interiors embody the understated nature of the project. Burnished concrete, engineered timber floorboards, oak joinery and, in the bathroom, textured Old White tiles from Earp Bros and a custom quartzite vanity form the subdued material palette while vintage furniture sourced from Composition Studio brings warmth and character. “The vintage aesthetic reinforces the ambition to step back in time a little and to peel away life’s complex layers,” says Natasha. “The pieces also tie in beautifully with the hardwood materials.”
Tucked away from the world, Northern Lights is a sanctuary that celebrates simplicity and where humble spaces belie the clever design thinking of Cadence & Co, a full-service practice that comprises architects, interior designers, craftspeople and builders. “The studio demonstrates our dexterity and tenacity when it comes to any project we tackle, whether that be a country acreage or coastal retreat,” says Michael.
Architecture, interior design and build by Cadence & Co. Landscape design by Adam Robinson Design. Structural and civil engineering by NB Consulting Engineers. Joinery by Nu Space Joinery. Furniture by Composition Studio.
