Sliding Cantilevered Forms – Sans Souci House by Ursino Architects

A series of sliding cantilevered forms, intersecting and stacked, creates moments of light and shadow within Sans Souci House. Ursino Architects combines a textured and muted approach to materiality, carving out controlled moments of openness and connection.

Located south of Sydney, in the coastal suburb of Sans Souci, the home of the same name embodies a robust and modern sense of purpose. Coming together as a series of sliding cantilevered forms, each plane is intended to intersect and support, creating a deliberate stacking arrangement on site. The use of openings and closed elements created a series of changing light and shadow patterns throughout the day, responding to the climatic and seasonal changes. Ursino Architects combines a knowing understanding of the residential condition with a refined and classical approach to form. Through the application of a controlled and texturally interesting materiality, moments of curated openness are created, welcoming the inhabitants into a connected and free-flowing internal arrangement of zones.

Located south of Sydney, in the coastal suburb of Sans Souci, the home of the same name embodies a robust and modern sense of purpose.

Built by Dilcara Constructions, the home was intended as a hub where its owners and their grown children could convene. Resulting in a three-level arrangement, the home sees practical storage and an integrated cellar on the ground level, ascending to the main entry, study and guest facilities and the connected living, kitchen, dining and open terrace. The upper level houses the more passive master suite and associated amenity. Overlooking the Kogarah Bay, Sans Souci is elevated to frame views outward, as well as creating a sense of protection.

Ursino Architects combines a knowing understanding of the residential condition with a refined and classical approach to form.

As a focal point, the integrated lap pool is integrated into the building itself, around which other elements pivot. Positioned to the north, to maximise natural light, the pool creates a generous void that results in dynamic reflections thrown internally, expressing the interplay of light and movement. Screens are used both externally and internally to create a hierarchy of privacy and vary sightlines. Together with a change in level in the ground floor, it is these subtle and nuanced details that help carve differing zones while still maintaining a true sense of openness.

Sans Souci House is a generously proportioned home, with large openings and a controlled rhythm formally creating order. The use of texture through concrete, natural stone, warming timber and cobblestone externally add a subtle variation from the internal pared-back liberal use of white and light stone to increase the feeling of volume. Combining a simplified palette with an inviting and formal arrangement of volumes on site, Ursino Architects creates a beautifully open and connected home.

Ursino Architects creates a beautifully open and connected home.