Cliff Top House by Luigi Rosselli Architects

The impressive design for the Cliff Top House is work of Luigi Rosselli Architects studio, it is located on the top of a rock escarpment in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, overlooking Queens Park and Centennial Park. The architects have shaped the project as an example of vertical living. Four storeys high, only to above the street and built to the front boundary, it was easily approved by Waverley Council because it was consistent with the unique topography.

For more of the project and architects description continue below:

Located on one of the best house sites in Sydney on a cliff overlooking the City and Centennial Park. Waverley Council is built on a large sandstone shelf with famous cliffs over Bondi and Tamarama, but this one is hidden on the slopes over Centennial Park.

Photography: © Edward Birch

The Aluminium weatherboard cladding was designed by Luigi Rosselli Pty Ltd and manufactured by JWI Louvres.

Photography: © Edward Birch

“Scissoring” of the floors created entertaining terraces and children’s’ play areas. Adjustable vertical aluminium louvres by JWI louvres, and custom aluminium wall cladding keep the house cool.
Photography: © Justin Alexander

Building a multi-storey residence on top of a cliff requires good engineering to create a building that confidently hovers over it.
Photography: © Edward Birch

A seamless wall of oil stained western red cedar timber cladding encloses the garage, bin store area and main entry. A full photovoltaic solar array & solar hot water system are hidden behind the roof parapet.
Photography: © Justin Alexander

The window is protected for privacy with a horizontal aluminium louver pointing upwards, so that one can see the sky from inside.
Photography: © Justin Alexander

The lightness of the structure hangs off the cliff escarpment and reaches out over Queens Park.
Photography: © Justin Alexander

The cliff top design has incorporated the outdoor space in the form of terraces and balconies, to make up for the inaccessible garden at the bottom of the cliff. The “scissoring” design took inspiration from the natural rock ledges one can find in this site and Sydney’s coastal landscapes.

The western elevation of the house has unique city and Blue Mountains views over the greenery of the gulley and adjoining parks. The balcony projections, louvres and shutters moderate the heat of the western orientation. All habitable rooms have an external sun protection. Vertical living, shading devices and good use of materials have delivered an air-conditioning free house.

Location: Queens Park, NSW
Design Architect: Luigi Rosselli, Naoko Nishizu
Project Architect: Luigi Rosselli, Carl Rutherfoord
Joinery: Carl Rutherfoord
Builder: Building With Options (B.W.O.)
Structural Consultant: Charles Blunt of Rooney & Bye (Australia) Pty LtdConsulting Engineers
Interior Designer: Alexandra Donohoe of Decus
Joiner: Space Joinery
Louvres & wall cladding: Magic Door Industries
Awnings: Eclipse Opening Shade Systems
Photography: Justin Alexander & Edward Birch
For more log on to luigirosselli.com.