Sandringham House by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

This Tonkin Zulaikha Greer-designed multigenerational home in southern Sydney may be bold in its execution but is deeply grounded in its relationship to the environment.

Perched above a sand dune on a slice of coastline in south Sydney is a home that is both sculptural and visionary. Grounded in a beautiful juxtaposition of textures, materiality and form, the home – designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer – brings together the organic, geometric, refined and playful in unlikely harmony.

In thoughtful response to its context, the conceptual framework for Sandringham House combines the tones of the sand dunes with the classic brick bungalow-style vernacular.

Evolving over several years of conversation with the client, Sandringham House is another example of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer’s ventures into residential design. “What started as alterations and additions turned into a new building to accommodate a multigenerational family,” says Tim Greer, director of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. The brief sought to speak to the natural and built context of the locale and reflect the importance of family, community and cultural heritage to the client. “The house accommodates three generations living together and provides amenity for each phase of life,” he says.

Located on a narrow block, the site once solely consisted of giant dunes sitting on the shores of Botany Bay. In thoughtful response to its context, the conceptual framework for Sandringham House combines the tones of the sand dunes with the classic brick bungalow-style vernacular. “The house’s form, expressed in sand-toned Krause bricks, speaks to the surrounding windswept dunes,” says Tim. Similarly, a curvilinear cutaway to the side of the building nods to the vernacular of the post-war bungalows that line the street.

Living spaces, terraces and gardens are organised around the pool – the heart of the home – and provide protection from southerly winds as well as offering gathering points.

The natural surroundings are warmly invited into the home. Living spaces, terraces and gardens are organised around the pool – the heart of the home – and provide protection from southerly winds as well as offering gathering points. Connected to the pool are a kids’ entertainment room, an elevated living room that overlooks Botany Bay and a rooftop terrace that houses an arched planted pergola and a prayer platform with a symbolic olive tree that was gifted from the client’s father’s garden. The bedrooms are self-contained, with the main bedroom featuring an observation window and dressing-room.

A biophilic design ethos is evident at every junction of the home. “The tranquil basement space is lit by light passing through the swimming pool, the elevated living room opens sightlines connecting the pool with Botany Bay and the kids’ entertainment room is made more fun by direct swimming access,” says Tim.

“All material decisions were based on specifying products that did not require a finish and that had the longest possible lifespan to weather the strong southerly winds of Botany Bay.”

Perhaps where the indoor-outdoor connection is most prevalent is in the succession of garden terraces that are located across various levels of the home. Introduced to complement the living spaces, these terraces offer alternate outdoor living areas and welcome greenery into the house – from the cool sunken fern garden in the basement to the ground-level kitchen garden and rooftop pergola. The natural context of Sandringham is also woven into the internal fabric of the home, typified by the living room’s structural concrete roof that is an amalgam of Botany Bay seashells arranged with reference to geometric patterning and iconography.

Given the proximity to wind, salt and sand, the home’s materiality is robust and durable. “All material decisions were based on specifying products that did not require a finish and that had the longest possible lifespan to weather the strong southerly winds of Botany Bay,” says Tim. As such, concrete and brickwork dominate the home’s facade, complemented by stone flooring and concrete ceilings in the interior, offset by bespoke timber joinery, brass trimming and warm lighting.

Sculptures appear throughout, adding an additional layer of intrigue while also referencing the home’s juxtaposition of geometric and organic forms.

Furnishings embody a sense of coastal luxe. A fairly neutral material palette is contrasted against pops of colour and intricate detailing such as a luxurious veined marble, which is used for the bench of the pool bar and in the bathrooms. Various sculptures appear throughout, adding an additional layer of intrigue while also referencing the home’s juxtaposition of geometric and organic forms.

As a forever home for the client, Sandringham House was designed with longevity and sustainability in mind. Sustainable initiatives include integrated heating and cooling systems, a brick brise-soleil on the western window facades, photovoltaic solar panels and batteries to catch and store the abundance of sun on the roof and a charging port installed to futureproof the garage. Within its striking geometric envelope, the residence is thoughtfully guided by the contextual and cultural relevance of both the client and the fabric of the suburb more broadly. Tonkin Zulaikha Greer utilises these principles to create a home with character, integrity and a conceptual clarity that extends from its overall form to every intricate detail.

Architecture and interior design by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. Build by IGS. Landscape by GROUND iNK. Engineering by BG&E. Joinery by Hysun Australia.