Woodlands Residence

THE BRIEF

​

Renovate the existing home to improve natural light, strengthen its connection to the garden and make better use of the harbour views.

​

THE PLANNING TEST

​

A narrow, steep site created competing demands for privacy, side setbacks, outdoor space and the inclusion of a pool. The challenge was to achieve these elements without allowing the building or earthworks to overwhelm the site.

​

THE MOVE

 

Rather than treating the slope as a limitation, the design uses it to organise the house and landscape.

The pool is partially embedded into the terrain, allowing it to become a feature without dominating the garden. Planting is concentrated where privacy and setback pressures are greatest, while changes to the existing ground-level uses allow the upper levels to take better advantage of the outlook.

Outdoor spaces are broken into smaller, purposeful areas rather than relying on one oversized terrace.

​

THE OUTCOME

​

A home where architecture, pool and garden read as one composition, with improved outlook, privacy and usable outdoor space across a difficult site.

​

PLUS STUDIO VALUE

​

Early site and planning analysis allowed the design to work with the slope rather than fight it — helping reduce unnecessary excavation, focus the budget and give builders a more resolved project to price.