Hidden Home: A Benchmark for Minimising Urban Sprawl

For centuries, architecture has evolved in layers, with new structures built atop the old. While modern urban planning now prioritises the preservation of heritage buildings, integrating contemporary functionality often necessitates innovative solutions.

In North Sydney, Luigi Rosselli Architects have set a benchmark for rethinking space utilisation with their redesign of ‘Hidden Home’—a masterful example of cryptic architecture that seamlessly blends heritage with modernity while minimising urban sprawl.

GALLERY

Originally constructed in 1889 by influential architect Walter Liberty Vernon, the grand two-storey residence once overlooked expansive gardens stretching down to Sydney Harbour. Over time, however, urban development claimed a significant portion of the land, prompting a thoughtful approach to expanding the home while retaining its historical integrity. The solution lay in building downward rather than outward, replacing a more recent garage addition with a four-level extension, much of which is concealed beneath the existing landscape.

This subterranean addition preserves the remaining garden while incorporating a wealth of modern amenities. A new kitchen, dining, and sitting room now occupy the upper level of the extension, providing a contemporary yet complementary living space that connects seamlessly with the outdoor garden. Below, a subterranean world unfolds, featuring a wine cellar, gym, massage room, sauna, spa, and a striking underground swimming pool, all discreetly integrated into the sandstone rock ledges that define Sydney’s lower north shore.

The swimming pool is a centrepiece of the design, drawing inspiration from the surrounding topography. Parabolic arches, an architecturally striking yet structurally efficient feature, support the multiple levels above, while skylights funnel natural light into the depths of the space, creating a sense of openness despite its underground placement.

Hidden Home is not just an architectural achievement; it is a case study in how urban spaces can be reimagined without encroaching on green areas. North Sydney Council remains one of the few Australian authorities willing to embrace cryptic architecture, allowing for underground development that preserves the leafy landscape. In contrast, many other councils continue to favour urban sprawl over such innovative solutions.

Through collaboration with landscape designer William Dangar of Dangar Barin Smith and interior designer Romaine Alwill, the home harmoniously bridges the past and present. The gardens blend Victorian influences with subtropical plantings, while the interiors reflect a sophisticated balance of modernist and classic elements, acknowledging the transition from ornate Victorian style to the refined Queen Anne period.

By redefining how space is utilised, Hidden Home serves as an exemplar of thoughtful, sustainable design. Its innovative approach challenges the prevailing trends of unchecked land clearance, offering a compelling vision for the future of urban living in Australia.

Images by Prue Ruscoe via ArchDaily