Design & Build - Custom Home
Tucked quietly behind the street line, this battleaxe block in Sydney’s Hills District reveals itself not all at once—but in a carefully choreographed sequence. What begins as a concealed address unfolds into a home defined by light, outlook, and a constant dialogue with the outdoors.
The approach is intentional. Like arriving at a boutique hotel, the entry is layered—zoned, refined, and immersive. As the front door opens, the home doesn’t immediately give everything away. Instead, it draws you inward.
From this vantage point, the architecture aligns—kitchen, dining, living, alfresco, and pool all unfolding in one continuous visual axis, stretching out toward the westerly views and the distant silhouette of the Blue Mountains. Wherever you stand, the design ensures you are always connected to the outside—never enclosed, never disconnected.
From the very beginning, we wanted a home that felt private and grounded, yet open, light-filled, and deeply connected to the outdoors—and what was delivered went far beyond our expectations. The way the house reveals itself is something we still love; arriving through the entry and seeing the atrium with the olive tree softly lit at night creates an immediate sense of calm, and then the space opens out to the pool and those incredible views toward the Blue Mountains, which still feel special every day. What stands out most is how considered everything is—wherever you are in the house, you’re always connected to light, views, or the landscape beyond.
Belinda - NSW
MEADAN APPROACH
Perched at the end of a quiet battleaxe block in Sydney, Project Aurora transforms what could have been a constraint into the very essence of its design. The narrow entry and unique site shaped the way the house unfolds—layer by layer—revealing light-filled interiors, framed outlooks, and moments of pause around every corner.
This idea of openness is balanced with weight and texture. A restrained use of off-form concrete introduces a subtle brutalist language—grounding the home with honesty and permanence. It’s not overwhelming, but deliberate. Paired with softer elements and natural light, it creates a tactile contrast that elevates the experience of each space.
At the centre of the plan, a curved spiral staircase rises as both a functional element and sculptural gesture—its form softening the otherwise linear flow of the home.
Constructed in double brick with a suspended concrete slab that extends and wraps the home, the structure reinforces a sense of durability and cohesion—an architecture that feels anchored to its site while opening outward to its views.
Working with a battleaxe block and its restricted access wasn’t a limitation—it became a defining driver of the design. Rather than resisting the constraint, we used it to shape a more intentional and layered arrival experience, where the home reveals itself gradually instead of all at once. The narrow access informed the positioning of the house on the site, allowing us to open up the plan to the north and west, capturing light and long views while maintaining privacy from the street.
It also pushed us to think more carefully about movement, outlook, and orientation. By turning the focus inward and outward—rather than toward the access—we created a home that feels expansive, calm, and connected to its surroundings. The result is a design that not only overcomes the challenges of a battleaxe block, but uses them to enhance spatial quality, privacy, and the overall living experience.
The design reimagines everyday living as a series of elevated, sensory experiences. It’s not about excess, but about intention—layered spaces, soft transitions, and moments of retreat that feel both refined and deeply personal. The entry sequence sets the tone, echoing the calm, considered arrival of a hotel foyer, while the interiors balance openness with intimacy through carefully defined zones.
This influence is most evident in the master suite, where traditional boundaries dissolve to create a fully immersive retreat. The integration of the bath within the bedroom, alongside a private coffee bar and minibar, transforms routine into ritual—blurring the line between living and unwinding. Throughout the home, materiality, lighting, and spatial flow are composed to evoke that same sense of quiet luxury—where comfort, atmosphere, and experience take precedence over convention.
The experience of the home shifts as you move upstairs—becoming lighter, more private, and quietly removed from the openness below. While the ground floor is expansive and outward-looking, anchored by views, connection, and shared living, the upper level offers a more intimate and retreat-like atmosphere.
Here, the design is driven by aspect and light. Elevated to capture the northerly sun, the spaces are consistently washed with natural light throughout the day, with highlight windows drawing it deep into the interiors while maintaining privacy. The connection to the outdoors becomes more curated—less about wide, open gestures and more about framed outlooks and soft, controlled illumination.
A secondary living area reinforces this shift, creating a place to step away without feeling disconnected. It allows for separation within the home—whether for family, guests, or quiet moments—while still maintaining a sense of openness through visual links and spatial flow.
Upstairs is ultimately about retreat. It softens the architectural language, prioritising comfort, calm, and privacy—offering a counterbalance to the social, expressive nature of the ground floor.
Ultimately, this is a house shaped by contrast—concealed, solid yet light-filled, structured yet fluid. A home where every movement is considered, every view is framed, and every space is connected back to the landscape beyond.
“From the very beginning, there was genuine excitement about the possibilities this project presented. It was the kind of home that invited bold ideas, careful experimentation, and a thoughtful approach to light, materiality, and spatial flow. Throughout the process, every detail was embraced, exploring ways to connect the indoors with the outdoors, frame expansive views, and create moments of retreat and indulgence. The project became a collaborative journey, driven by a passion to bring a unique vision to life. The result is a home that reflects that enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and dedication—truly a testament to design-led living.”
Meadan
Contact Us
NSW
3/7 Salisbury Road
Castle Hill NSW 2154
QLD
101 Days Rd
Grange QLD 4051
