Guided by Context – Peninsula House by Hare and Klein

Taking cues from its architectural envelope, Peninsula House resonates with its context and reimagines the 1920s P&O style through a contemporary lens. Hare and Klein combines a linear approach guided by a sinuous geometry of the preceding design language to create a home that anchors itself in its location.

Enviably located in Sydney’s Vaucluse with an extensive 35-metre harbour frontage, Peninsula House is the reworking of an existing 1970s home, within the architectural envelope by Stafford Architecture. The waterfront home stands firmly connected to its site and takes cues from the neighbouring context to conjure its own sense of place and identity. As a renovation effort, the extensive reimagining of the exterior provides the foundational guide for the resulting approach internally and, as a way to bring the home together through the same lens, a similar methodology has been adopted. Hare and Klein takes cues from the neighbouring 1920s P&0 style and reinterprets with a modern sensibility while also responding to the harbour and its curves.

Built by Building Services, the brief for Peninsula House was to create a uniquely identifiable home that connected to its site and its all-encompassing aspect. The clean lines and curved geometries of the reworked architectural elements provided the ideal stimulation for the resulting approach. The home is spread over three levels and is devised into three essential elements – two flanking wings and a central drum feature that houses the entry and connects the home through its ribboned metal stair. Expressing the home’s proximity to the ocean and natural elements, honest and textural materials are used throughout. The use of circular and oval forms, taking cues from its influences, then became a guiding design language which is transferred from both the creation of zones, selection of pieces and objects to the ceiling coffer situated above the dining space. Each element is considered for its contribution to the whole.

Capitalising on its location, large-spanning glazed elements connect the interior with the exterior at every opportunity. This transference of reflections off of the water became a main consideration internally, and the choice of warmer tones and textures created opportunities for absorbance rather than the creation of further illumination. This counterbalance allows for an anchoring of the design as a comfortably and considered home, where its internal experience contrasts the outer one. The materiality speaks to a curated warmth, where layers are used to add richness and refined and considered elements elevate the experience of living. Dark timber is used against warm charcoal stucco textures, with white plastered walls, bronze, black chrome and leather acting as equalisers.

By injecting warmth, Peninsula House takes an approach less commonly seen within its Sydney locale and, in doing so offers a contemplative result. Hare and Klein has injected a thoughtfulness through their method, grounding the interiors and resultingly sculpt a balanced home.