Houzz Tour: A Spacious Family Home on a 6m-wide Sliver of Land
A light and lovely boat shed-style home unfolds down a steep slope to the water in Sydney’s secluded Cottage Point
One of Sydney’s smallest suburbs, Cottage Point, is a picturesque waterfront enclave surrounded by national park less than an hour’s drive from the CBD. Just 52 houses are located here, with many homeowners opting to visit friends and pick up supplies by boat. There’s an everyone-knows-everyone village atmosphere that’s as attractive to people looking to move to the area as its waterfront location.
When architect Emma Viljoen Holmes and her husband came across a newspaper ad for a 6m-wide sliver of waterfront land for sale – the smallest plot in the tiny suburb – they quickly decided to snap it up and embrace the challenge of building a home for themselves and their two young children.
The narrow site posed some design challenges, as expected. Thankfully, the architect’s efforts have been rewarded with a light-filled, multi-level home that suits the family’s needs now and in the future. Their home also ticks all the boxes that come with building on bushfire-prone land, without town water, and with strict regulations preserving the privacy and views of neighbouring homes.
When architect Emma Viljoen Holmes and her husband came across a newspaper ad for a 6m-wide sliver of waterfront land for sale – the smallest plot in the tiny suburb – they quickly decided to snap it up and embrace the challenge of building a home for themselves and their two young children.
The narrow site posed some design challenges, as expected. Thankfully, the architect’s efforts have been rewarded with a light-filled, multi-level home that suits the family’s needs now and in the future. Their home also ticks all the boxes that come with building on bushfire-prone land, without town water, and with strict regulations preserving the privacy and views of neighbouring homes.
The overarching aim for the design of this home was to create a sense of space and light, despite its narrow proportions. Although the site is 6m wide, the home needed to be no more than 4m wide to comply with the area’s strict regulations. Add a steep hillside to the tight building envelope, and a desire to minimise the impact on the natural landscape, and some creative design solutions had to come into play.
Emma designed and documented the house, while her husband, David, undertook the structural landscaping and managed the project finances.
A limited budget meant the build had to be carefully managed. Superior finishes were chosen for a few select areas, then the remainder were pared down to provide a quality and neutral backdrop to the surrounding environment.
Emma designed and documented the house, while her husband, David, undertook the structural landscaping and managed the project finances.
A limited budget meant the build had to be carefully managed. Superior finishes were chosen for a few select areas, then the remainder were pared down to provide a quality and neutral backdrop to the surrounding environment.
“The concept for this house was one of a contemporary boat shed,” Emma says. A corrugated-steel and weatherboard exterior are in line with the boat shed aesthetic that ties in seamlessly with the streetscape and waterfront position.
The black-and-white colour palette and some standout design features (the black window frame on the right, for example) give it a more contemporary look and feel.
The black-and-white colour palette and some standout design features (the black window frame on the right, for example) give it a more contemporary look and feel.
Find a local architect on Houzz.
A BAL-40 fire rating was required for all exterior materials. “We felt the weatherboard cladding and corrugated steel suited the ‘boat shed’ style in an Australian landscape,” Emma says.
Recycled-timber fence palings from David’s childhood home were used for the retaining walls in the garden.
Recycled-timber fence palings from David’s childhood home were used for the retaining walls in the garden.
The entry to the four-level home is on the third level, with the stairs on the right leading down to the kitchen/living/dining space, and a walkway drawing the eye through the mezzanine area out to the water.
“Upon entry, it surprises. It organises space in a playful manner to showcase how a narrow shell can feel spacious and light internally,” Emma says.
“Upon entry, it surprises. It organises space in a playful manner to showcase how a narrow shell can feel spacious and light internally,” Emma says.
Emma says the final design, while unusual, works hard to utilise the available area and provide a sense of space.
Downstairs on the second level is the light-filled heart of the home. The mezzanine study overlooks the open-plan living and dining area and provides a lower ceiling for the kitchen below. The idea is for the family to be together, while being able to focus on their individual tasks.
Fireplace, Escea DFS730. Jasper Metro sofa, King Living. Artwork, Martin Campbell.
Fireplace, Escea DFS730. Jasper Metro sofa, King Living. Artwork, Martin Campbell.
Positioning the mezzanine above the kitchen provided the opportunity to add character and warmth to the kitchen in the form of a timber ceiling. A butler’s pantry with fridge adjoins the kitchen.
Oven and hob, Smeg. Black double basin, Blanco. Raw Concrete 4004 worktop, Caesarstone. Kethy cabinet handles, Lock and Handle.
Oven and hob, Smeg. Black double basin, Blanco. Raw Concrete 4004 worktop, Caesarstone. Kethy cabinet handles, Lock and Handle.
A natural interior palette of native timber, stone, black and textured white gives the home a contemporary yet grounded feel that doesn’t compete with the natural setting. “Blackbutt flooring was chosen due to the home’s location in a national park, and the use of marine-style balustrades and shiplap cladding internally reinforced the marine feel in the waterfront location,” Emma says.
The construction allowed for an underbelly of rainwater storage, as well as water treatment and
recycling tanks. Given that the community doesn’t have access to a mains water supply, these were critical elements. The home was also future-proofed for solar to enable full off-grid living in the years to come.
recycling tanks. Given that the community doesn’t have access to a mains water supply, these were critical elements. The home was also future-proofed for solar to enable full off-grid living in the years to come.
Levels three and four are dedicated to the sleeping quarters – level four for the parents and level three for the children.
Level two is dedicated to communal living and the two water tanks, and the lowest level houses a guest bedroom, bathroom, laundry and a covered deck. This level also provides access to the water.
Using piers to implant the building on bedrock limited the excavation required. “A good proportion of the budget was required to establish foundations on the steep site,” Emma says. “The building is lightly balanced on its steel and concrete piers as it unfolds down the land. A rhythm of pitched roofs establishes the form, which frame the views to Coal and Candle Creek from each of the four levels.”
The view from the home is spectacular. “We have a boat on the mooring out the front and weekends are spent finding secluded beaches, kayaking, watching the sea eagles soar and making campfires on the water’s edge – a childhood we dreamed of for our children,” Emma says.
Seen from above, the narrow proportions of the home – and the resulting design and building challenges – are clear.
“We love the random mix of matt and gloss white tiles in the bathrooms; it adds a subtle texture,” Emma says.
Black tapware, Astra Walker. Penny round mosaic wall tiles in matt and gloss, Tiles by Kate.
Black tapware, Astra Walker. Penny round mosaic wall tiles in matt and gloss, Tiles by Kate.
A parents’ retreat is on the top level, stacked on top of the children’s bedroom below. The family of four occupies the western end of the house. Having the family sleeping in close proximity was an important consideration with young children.
Radical DC fan, Hunter Pacific. PAX system wardrobes, Ikea. Kethy wardrobe door handles, Lock and Handle.
Radical DC fan, Hunter Pacific. PAX system wardrobes, Ikea. Kethy wardrobe door handles, Lock and Handle.
The design is such that it catches the prevailing north-east summer breezes for cross-ventilation. The addition of a small courtyard captures warming northern light in winter and assists with airflow in summer.
Each of the bedrooms has access to a bathroom on the same level.
Guests staying in the spare bedroom enjoy the same incredible views as the owners.
Cottage Point is surrounded by Ku-ring-gai National Park. “The home embraces its magnificent natural environment, drawing the outside in, while minimising overshadowing impacts to neighbouring properties,” Emma says.
Tell us…
Would you like to live in a waterfront home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
Would you like to live in a waterfront home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Project manager and architect Emma Viljoen Holmes, her husband, IT consultant David Holmes, and their two children, Harry, 4, and Sophia, 2
Location Cottage Point, NSW, Australia
Size Three bedrooms and three bathrooms; 116 sq m
Architect Emma Holmes Design
Builder Chase Projects
Award 2017 MBA Excellence in Housing Award, Contract Homes category
Photos by Kate Holmes