In an area where many houses are monumental, inward looking and truly ?larger than life?, this family home overlooking Sydney?s iconic Balmoral Beach presents as something of a paradox: it manages to feel simultaneously spacious, bold and sculptural, and at the same time, intimate and connected to nature.

© Brett Boardman

Architects: Fox Johnson Architects

Location: Mosman NSW 2088, Australia

Architect In Charge: Fox Johnson Architects

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: Brett Boardman

© Brett Boardman

Site Plan

From the architect. In an area where many houses are monumental, inward looking and truly ?larger than life?, this family home overlooking Sydney?s iconic Balmoral Beach presents as something of a paradox: it manages to feel simultaneously spacious, bold and sculptural, and at the same time, intimate and connected to nature.
© Brett Boardman

Located on a terraced north-facing slope overlooking Balmoral Beach and the bushland setting of Middle Head and Hunters Bay, the form of the house follows the natural contour of the land and consists of a masonry platform with two elongated volumes above. When viewed from the street, Balmoral House is moderate in scale in comparison to its neighbours, and follows the natural slope of the land.  

© Brett Boardman

Once insi...