Luigi Rosselli Architects recently completed the renovation of a 1970s residence perched above a narrow coastal sound of glistening emerald waters, surrounded by steep sandstone cliffs and lush vegetation in Coogee, Sydney.

Originally, a driveway and garage originally took up the greatest part of the inhabitable area of the ground floor. All that was needed to liberate this area and rededicate it as s secondary living space and courtyard garden was a ramp down to a large existing and underutilised basement. As the main feature of this revitalised ground floor area, the walls of the courtyard have been clad with teal blue chevron mosaic tiles, reminiscent of the Blue Groper’s scales. When the sun shines they appear intensely blue, while in the shade they take on a subdued green hue, becoming a backdrop to a lushly planted and rapidly growing subtropical garden. Beyond the courtyard entry, the home’s main stair with its brass accents and woven feature screen can be glimpsed through a large single glass pane. 

The interior finishes are a collaborative effort between Atelier Alwill and the clients themselves. Emerald accents, such as those in the tile selections and sanitaryware, are present throughout and contrasting against the rich, warm tones of a American walnut woodwork and joinery, aged brass hardware, and the soft sandy hues of the stone tiles, these accents truly work to harmonise both the home to its surroundings and to the architectural concept.

Upstairs, the bedrooms themselves all possess magnificent views over the bay below. To provide privacy and protection from the elements for the master bedroom suite, Luigi Rosselli Architects created a variation on the theme of a veranda by constructing a covered shelter that, though fully glazed, may also be fully opened to catch the warmth and the breezes thanks to a complex system of vertical curved glass louvres, designed with the expertise of Tilt Industrial Design. Initially, the intention was to reuse the glass from a conservatory that dominated the living area, sadly however this was not possible as the tempered and laminated glass was not suitable for recycling. Instead, an emerald glass was obtained from the client’s neighbour – the owner of Australia’s largest glass producer, and custom cured and tempered; the intent was for the glass to shimmer in the sunlight like the scales of a fish. The glass louvres themselves are interconnected via a series of mechanical gears and chains that synchronise their operation. The whole assembly is constructed using high grade stainless steel, UV resistant resins and exacting precision to withstand the harsh marine environment.

Photography Prue Ruscoe and LRA

Architecture Luigi Rosselli

Interior Design Romaine Alwill for Atelier Alwill

Landscape Design  Will Dangar for Dangar Barin Smith