An Enduring Permanence – The Village House by Luigi Rosselli Architects and Decus Interiors

The Village House sees one of the earliest building materials expressed in both a sculptural and textural manner, adding gestures of curiosity in the restoration and extension of an existing home. Luigi Rosselli and Decus Interiors combine to infuse an enduring permanence through an engagement with colour and light.

Located in the Upper North Shores of Sydney, The Village House is the return to primary principles and to the original and oldest building method, utilising the earth as a focal muse. Known for its diversity, its softness, its texture, and its many formations, earth has been used in the earliest of construction as the most rudimentary and strong building blocks. Taking inspiration from this, rammed earth is utilised and expressed in many ways throughout the home and becomes a sculptural element, while also offering textural diversity and depth not usually adopted within the residential environment. Luigi Rosselli Architects combine with Decus Interiors to restore the original home and extend to the rear, opening up the formal and rigid former planning to the well-articulated generous landscape beyond.

Located in the Upper North Shores of Sydney, The Village House is the return to primary principles and to the original and oldest building method, utilising the earth as a focal muse.

Built by Intermain, with landscape design by Dangar Barin Smith, the connection between the natural and the built is both clear and important to the success of The Village House. Originally on the property is a Federation-era bungalow home and its detailed heritage nuances and crafted parts. Extending from this and connecting to a purposed sense of history, the addition unfolds under a series of gabled roof forms and then extends outward. While the connection between the old and the new was integral, it also needed to be seamless and feel deliberate. The resulting series of wings, separate buildings and enclosures all connect and intertwine together on the site. In a sense, it is a village of spaces, eras and functions that bring the home together under one tumbling roof.

Designed to best capture the northern sun to the rear, the extension projects both to the rear and to the side of the original home, stretching across to the pool house, where a separate wing contains the garage and other amenity. The layering of the garden as a nutrient-making, play, social and escape space further add to the complexities found within a multifunctional village. Referencing the original build, the new sees the use of timber shingles, recycled brickwork and a slated roof come together, while the rammed earth elements offer their own deliberate and individual moments. Containing the hearth externally and internally expressed as a warm and textural element, stopping of rammed earth at a datum allows for the gabled roof to be its own separate sculpture. Internally, the use of muted dark elements in the kitchen are softened by the cathedral type ceiling and natural light well that bathes the space in light, while the upper gables being glazed allow an encouraging and ample amount of natural illumination inward.

Known for its diversity, its softness, its texture, and its many formations, earth has been used in the earliest of construction as the most rudimentary and strong building blocks.

The Village House combines a warmth and restraint to bring together its many comprising parts. Luigi Rosselli Architects together with Decus Interiors have beautifully combined the old and the new and created an enduring, strong and purposed place to reside.

Taking inspiration from this, rammed earth is utilised and expressed in many ways throughout the home and becomes a sculptural element, while also offering textural diversity and depth not usually adopted within the residential environment.

Luigi Rosselli Architects combine with Decus Interiors to restore the original home and extend to the rear, opening up the formal and rigid former planning to the well-articulated generous landscape beyond.