Sasso Nero
On Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Sasso Nero by buck&simple is a bright and elegant family home showcasing stone, light and a deep connection to landscape.
Sasso Nero, a sophisticated two-storey residence in Seaforth, reflects Northern Beaches-based architecture and design studio buck&simple’s long-standing approach to high-end residential design – one shaped by landscape, refined materiality and a balance between luxury and liveability. The name itself – meaning ‘black stone’ – hints at the material language that defines the home.
The facade is softened by gentle curvilinear forms, a design language that carries through to the internal walls and expressive, sculptural staircase.
From the street, the home presents as relaxed and contemporary. A palette of charred timber cladding and dark, textured finishes allow it to recede into the surrounding landscape, while timber battens and lush plantings of succulents and palms add privacy. The facade is softened by gentle curvilinear forms, a design language that carries through to the internal walls and expressive, sculptural staircase.
Inside, it is bright and airy. Natural light pours in through expansive windows and carefully positioned skylights. At the entry, hand-rendered walls and warm timber floors create a welcoming arrival zone. A corridor leads to the main living area, which opens up to an internal courtyard overflowing with tropical ferns, ushering the natural world inside.
The lower level is dedicated to spacious open-plan living and dining. Floor-to-ceiling glazing allows this space to open completely to the outdoors, spilling onto a verdant garden with fire pit, pool and entertaining terrace. Here, a rugged piece of reclaimed stone from the site forms the base of an integrated barbecue, reinforcing the project’s connection between built form and environment.
The material palette is restrained yet refined, showcasing natural materials such as oak, marble and aged brass. Richness comes from variation in grain, tone and finish rather than decorative layering. Marble appears in the base of the dramatic, sculptural fireplace, kitchen benchtop and bathroom vanities, creating a thread of continuity across the home. The kitchen itself is minimal and sophisticated, with pared-back cabinetry, sleek brass hardware and a generous island in dark timber with an inset for elegant wooden stools.
Furnishings are chic and comfortable. The black Alta armchair and Módulo coffee table – both by legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer – introduce low, geometric forms that echo the home’s curved lines. Alongside them, the Rolly sofa in umber velvet adds a plush counterpoint, with its sweeping shape and flexible configuration suited to everyday living. In the front sitting room, the slender Adriana armchair speaks to the residence’s understated luxury.
On the upper level, light-filled bedrooms offer warmth and seclusion. Timber reappears in custom bedheads and joinery, while a walk-in robe introduces a pop of colour with its deep blue cabinetry. Each bathroom expresses a different personality, with terrazzo flooring, slim finger mosaic tiles in muted tones and concrete basins – yet all are designed with the same meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship that marks buck&simple’s work.
More than anything, Sasso Nero captures what buck&simple does best: creating homes that prioritise liveability and comfort, uniting thoughtful design with effortless functionality for everyday family life.
