Architecture with Attitude – Carlotta Residence by Matthew Woodward Architecture and Esoteriko

Driven by a clear vision and strong collaboration, Carlotta Residence in Double Bay, Sydney, reflects the clients’ personalities and captures the urban feel of the cities they have previously lived in. Raw and exposed materials played a dominant role in the brief, with Matthew Woodward Architecture using concrete, steel and American black walnut and Esoteriko imbuing spaces with comfort and warmth.

New York, Chicago and London are cities with attitude – tough, bold, sophisticated and exuberant. Their vivacious spirit is embodied in their architecture, with exposed, honest, natural materials, such as concrete, steel and glass. “There is a rawness and an exposure to life in these cities, and those feelings get captured in the architecture, the materials and the way they are expressed,” the clients describe. “We wanted to recreate an urban feel that represents our previous lives in these big, crowded, energetic, boisterous urban centres.”

Materials played a dominant role in achieving the brief, with concrete, steel and American black walnut capturing the spirit of the cities and their iconic architecture.

The clients engaged Matthew Woodward Architecture and Esoteriko Interior Architecture to design their new home in Sydney’s Double Bay. The leafy harbourside suburb may be a long way from their past lives in New York, Chicago and London, but these experiences steered the brief. “The clients had a clear vision from the day we met. They wanted a raw, bold house that evoked a feeling of warmth and honesty,” says Matthew. Materials played a dominant role in achieving this, with concrete, steel and American black walnut capturing the spirit of the cities and their iconic architecture. Interior elements by Anna Trefely of Esoteriko soften the robustness of the architecture and imbue spaces with comfort and warmth.

Having dared to be different, the house sits in strong contrast to the architecture traditionally found in Double Bay. “Using off-form concrete and exposed steelwork presented the opportunity to do something contrary to the norm in Double Bay,” Matthew explains. “The composition reflects the opportunities and constraints of the site and the desire to be different.”

The garden forecourt, with greenery spilling over the carport, establishes the arrival experience into the home.

The form of the house is driven by the topography and orientation of the long and narrow west-facing site. It slopes 18 metres from front to back, with a dramatic 14-metre drop mid-way and a natural, overgrown sandstone escarpment at the rear of the property. Like the site, the house is long, narrow and cascades down the hill, split over five levels. Its height is maximised for city views and to enhance the sense of volume and light, while ribbon windows bring in sunlight along the northern side.

The garden forecourt, with greenery spilling over the carport, establishes the arrival experience into the home. The full material palette is presented upon entry – the front door is brass, metal and glass, the ceiling and floor are exposed concrete, and American black walnut lines the walls.

The palette also nods to mid-century modern architecture and design, of which there are classic pieces throughout the home.

This palette also nods to mid-century modern architecture and design, of which there are several classic pieces throughout the home, such as the Eames Lounge Chair and USM Haller Shelving. “Mid-century modernism exposed the various working elements and expressed how beautiful the mechanics of an item can be,” the clients explain. “Nothing is hidden, and in that way mid-century modernism relates to the rawness and exposure we find in the big cities.”

The main part of the house is three levels, connected with a folding concrete stair and steel-framed balustrade. The kitchen, living and dining space is on the entry level and flows out to the balcony with west-facing views. Esoteriko designed the kidney-shaped brass kitchen island, its curving form reinterpreted in the angular light feature above. The long and narrow dining table with banquet seating encourages intimacy, and a cantilevered concrete bench provides additional seating in the living areas.

“Quirky elements, like the windows, are a reflection of the clients’ personality and bring richness and playfulness to the house,” says Matthew.

Three bedrooms are on the top floor, with timber lining the wrap-around hallway. The main bedroom takes in views across Double Bay and has a walk-through robe to the ensuite. A second living and entertaining area, with wet bar, is on the lower-ground level, as well as another bedroom and ensuite, where three porthole-like windows bring in light to illuminate the brass vanity. “Quirky elements, like the windows, are a reflection of the clients’ personality and bring richness and playfulness to the house,” says Matthew. Other playful elements include the alcove seat beneath the stairs, a back-lit furry upholstered bedhead in the guest bedroom, and the cantilevered mezzanine canopy with netting in the son’s bedroom.

The living area opens to the garden courtyard and swimming pool, and a stair along the side boundary gives access to the home office and gym below. A circular cut-out in the bottom of the swimming pool serves as a skylight for the office, providing light, a water view and enhancing the subterranean feel. A self-contained suite on the bottom level of the house provides accommodation for overnight guests.

Driven by a clear vision and strong collaboration across architecture and interiors, the house is a true reflection of the clients’ personalities and captures the spirit of the great cities they love. “The house represents the clients’ big ideas and playful nature and their warmth and hospitality,” says Matthew. “It really benefitted from everyone’s input and is the result of a very successful collaboration.”