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The Sheer Delight of a House Anchored to the Cliff

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The Cliff Face House from Fergus Scott Architects and Peter Stutchbury Architecture is named for the sheer face of sandstone anchoring an amazingly original house north of Sydney.

It extends out from the sandstone rock face, taking in a tranquil view towards the calm inland waters of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

You descend down through the house next to the raw rock face.

A gloriously original open air bathroom marries sea views to the rock face.

A luminous polycarbonate vaulted roof suffuses the primary living areas with a delicate light.

Suspended above that is a separate roof that captures rainfall and moderates the sun’s heat.

The western facade is not a facade at all, but rather a continuous verandah linking all the rooms on each level.

Perforated copper screens dispense with the unwanted effects of low, penetrating western sunlight.

These screens are actually sliding panels offering diffused light along this passageway allow for an ever changing relationship with the calm water and sky views.

A  contrasting sheltered space is formed by the wood-lined stair into the wide open view.

The clients’ bedroom is on the top level, allowing for ageing in place, while accommodating their sons’ families on the floors below.

Their rooms open out to a stone patio extending the rock horizontally out towards the watery inland sea.

What a sheer delight to occupy such an exciting and enchanted space, perfectly balanced between the cliff and the wide ocean views.