Zig Zag House

2022

Zig Zag House presents an audacious conversation between the old and the new, with its unexpected location set within Sydney’s eastern suburb of Kensington. The clients were returning to their old family home and desired to live in a unique setting that offered a singular architectural experience amongst the other neighbouring Federation bungalows.

As its name denotes, the complex roof design has been pleated and crafted like a concertina, creating a bold form that borrows its structure from a shade giving palm leaf. The roof also metaphorically floats above the waterway which flows from the site and into Centennial Park and Botany Bay. Daringly, it presents the new part of the home that extends the existing Federation cottage, connecting the living, dining and kitchen spaces of the home. Seamlessly, the overhang has been joined to the linear ceiling plane from the original roof. Playfully a 'Jetty' has been included in the design of the rear terrace in response to the theoretical 1:200 year flood levels.

The staircase which is the spine of the home, is an indulgent feature that opportunely draws from the scale and the sloping nature of the site, attracting attention as one of the focal points within this monumental building. Majestically it offers a connection and a transition between the old and new spaces within the home, with the colourful blade column adding some character to the austere composition.

The internal layout is orchestrated around the client’s collection of artworks and keepsakes, meticulously choreographing the lighting to illuminate these pieces.

Using standard materials, a controlled palette has been applied to the new addition, yet treated in a unique way that renders it to be seen in a new form. Evidently, this can be found in the plaster board that has been taped and set to create the zig zag pattern, the Oregon timber concrete, the BC ply formply, as well as the Venetian plaster applied to the blade column. This particular craftsmanship showcases the materials in an exclusive way that forms the unique characteristic of the home.

RANDWICK CITY’S AWARDS JURY QUOTE

‘This project really took the judges by surprise. You need to visit the house to understand the context and the cleverness of the solution. Facing the street is a modest early 20th century cottage and a site that slopes down to the rear. It has been respectfully but substantially renovated and updated to suit the owner’s needs, however there are few queues externally as to the extent of the work.

Moving through the central hall there is a dramatic shift in scale and expression as you reach the middle of the house. The hall transitions into a generous and theatrical stair that climbs down the site and introduces you to a single double height space that literally takes your breath away. The materials, detailing, art and furniture are all exquisite and meticulously considered and realised.

Whilst photos of the house emphasise the zig zag profile of the new roof soffit - the real joy of this house is the surprise and drama of the interior space.

Congratulations to Stukel Architecture.’

The 2023 Judges:

Mary Ellen Hudson, Mary Ellen Hudson Architects and Interior Design.
Andrew Nimmo, Director Lahznimmo Architects, Past NSW Chapter President Australian Institute of Architects.
Dr Elisa Palazzo, Architect/Urbanist and Landscape Architect. Coordinator Landscape Architecture Master program, Built Environment UNSW Sydney.

Featured in The Local Project

Featured in Restless Living Magazine

The Sunday Telegraph - Top 50 Homes - 1st place

Built Design Awards 2022 - Winner in Architectural Design - Residential.

Randwick City's Architecture & Urban Design Awards 2023 - Joint Winner for Best Alteration or Renovation