New South Wales
Leslie and Keith spent a career building houses together. Before downing their tools, they needed a place to put up their feet. The result, Balmain House, is a balancing act: the product of collective experience but also a family experiment. Sweeping views over the city are framed by long eaves and a sunken walled garden. A covered walkway leads from an existing brick cottage to a pavilion at the rear where a skylight captures glimpses of tall gum trees above. Sliding doors open onto a secluded courtyard bathed in low winter light, and on summer evenings the raised walkway becomes a seat from which to watch the dimming skyline beyond.
We could never have imagined how much this building would change the way we live. We spend most of the year with the house entirely open listening to the birds flying from our trees to the park, over our neighbours roofs. We’ve lived in the inner city our whole lives and never imagined a home feeling so open but so private and peaceful this close to the city. SAHA’s design transcends what we thought was possible on our site. We love our elegant and understated home.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
