Located in the eastern Sydney suburb of Pagewood, this knockdown rebuild reinterprets the suburban family home through a contemporary architectural lens. Set within an established residential context, the project explores sculptural form, material refinement, and a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor living.

The clients approached Studio DAO Architects seeking a complete rebuild that would better reflect their lifestyle needs and aspirations for a modern, light-filled home. The design response was guided by three key principles:

1. to create a strong yet softened street presence through curved architectural form,

2. to maximise natural light and spatial volume within a constrained suburban site, and

3. to establish a seamless connection between internal living spaces and the surrounding landscape.

The ground floor is organised as a series of open-plan living, dining, and kitchen spaces that flow effortlessly toward the rear garden and covered alfresco area. Generous glazing and a double-height void draw daylight deep into the interior while enhancing visual connection to the landscaped garden. The alfresco zone is sheltered beneath a sculptural curved concrete canopy, forming an extension of the internal living space and reinforcing the home’s emphasis on outdoor living.

The upper level adopts a softer, layered form that appears to float above the ground plane. Curved edges and continuous horizontal lines reduce the perceived mass of the building, creating a sense of lightness and refinement. Private living spaces and bedrooms are located on this level, benefitting from elevated outlooks, increased privacy, and optimal solar access.

Materiality plays a central role in the architectural expression of the house. The façade combines textured stone, smooth rendered concrete, and warm timber elements to create contrast, depth, and tactility. These materials are carried through to the interiors, reinforcing a cohesive architectural language and a sense of timelessness.

Landscape design is carefully integrated with the architecture, softening built form, framing views, and enhancing privacy. The result is a contemporary family home that balances sculptural presence with warmth and liveability—an architectural response tailored specifically to its Pagewood context.