Palm House

The house in Sydney by Casey Brown Architecture has become a thoroughly contemporary yet compatible expression of modern Australian family living within the context of an older neighbourhood.

By reinventing the traditional bungalow’s materials, palette and details, and by responding to the practical needs of a modern family, the Palm House by Casey Brown Architecture has become a thoroughly contemporary yet compatible expression of modern Australian family living within the context of an older neighbourhood.

A curved circulation path leads visitors from the front gate to the front door while taking in harbour bridge views. Careful siting maximises solar, garden and view access to all rooms, yet minimises the apparent bulk and scale of the house as viewed from the street. The large eaves, first floor cantilevers and continuous banks of casement shutters shield the building from direct sun and rain. Cooling breezes are easily directed through adjustable louvres and wind scoops. A continuous deck connects the interior sunroom, living and family room spaces with the exterior large sunny garden.

Internally, the L-shaped plan provides both privacy and connection. A dramatic double height living room volume separates the parent and children bedroom wings. A sunny interior circulation path includes garden view spaces flowing off of the interior north face of the “L” while service rooms hug the outside perimeter. Internally and externally the same materials are carefully expressed and detailed to promote the indoor/outdoor relationship. Sandstone walls and pavers, timber windows and slatted joinery, brass hardware and accents, off-form concrete walls and floors all serve as a reminder that the house has origins in the Arts and Crafts movement, with detailing and materials that clearly place the house in the present.