Photograph of dining and living spaces from the garden in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph looking to dining space from verandah in the Garden House designed by Tzannes

Garden House

Gadi Country / Woollahra

Stage Completed 2014

A pavilion home connected to its landscape

This home unfolds as a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that invite nature in and respond to the rhythm of daily life, while accommodating the family’s changing needs. The design creates a residence interconnected with its garden and a much-loved magnolia tree.

Built on a compact site, the house hugs its southern boundary to maximise privacy and access to the north-facing garden. Two distinct wings (formal and informal spaces) are anchored by a generous kitchen that opens onto landscaped areas, extending the living experience beyond the walls.

Large overhangs and deep eaves provide year-round comfort, capturing winter sun while offering summer shade. Cross ventilation, achieved through carefully placed windows, brings in natural light and fresh air, making air conditioning unnecessary for most of the year.

The interior is warm and natural, seamlessly balancing the functional characteristics of the more public spaces, including a double-height room with a fireplace, and the more intimate private rooms for family use, such as the upstairs bedrooms, the family room, and a guest apartment.

From the street, the house appears as a garden, it’s private yet welcoming, offering a lifestyle grounded in comfort, connection and ease.

Durable materials such as brick, timber, and concrete have been selected for their longevity, which reduces the need for ongoing maintenance. Services, including water storage, are practically organised to the side and rear of the property, out of view.

Project team

Directors

Alec Tzannes

Peter John Cantrill

Team

Lily Tandeani

Neil Haybittel

Nadia Zhao

Vera Batalha

Amanda Cooper

Carl Holder

Nicole Larkin

Bruce Chadlowe

Photograph of dining space from the garden in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of dining space in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of the verandah in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph looking to dining space from verandah in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Site plan drawing of Garden House designed by Tzannes

Making full use of its compact site, this house dissolves the distinction between internal and external spaces and accommodates the changing needs of the family.

Photograph of the family dining and living spaces in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of upper level bedroom in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of more public living space in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of the family wing in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of the kitchen in the Garden House designed by Tzannes
Photograph of the kitchen and dining space in the Garden House designed by Tzannes

Collaborators

  • Builder

    -

    Paul King Pty Ltd
  • Acoustic

    -

    Acoustic Logic
  • Building Surveyor

    -

    Watson Buchan
  • Cost

    -

    Donald Bayley & Associates
  • Hydraulic

    -

    Glenn Haig & Partners
  • Mechanical

    -

    Obrart & Co
  • Structural

    -

    Martin Zimmerman & Associates
  • Landscape Architect

    -

    William Dangar & Associates
  • Interior Design (Furnishings)

    -

    Darren Palmer Design Studio
  • Flood

    -

    Cardno
  • Swimming Pool Engineer

    -

    Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners
  • Town Planner

    -

    Moody & Doyle
  • Abortist/Tree Transplanter

    -

    Tree Transplanters Australia
  • Geotechnical

    -

    Martens & Associates
  • Water Services Coordinator

    -

    Frawley Design Services
  • Private Certifier

    -

    Vic Lilli & Partners
  • Photographer

    -

    Michael Nicholson / Prue Ruscoe

Awards

  • 2015 / AIA (NSW) Commendation / Residential Architecture Single Houses
Project details

Awards

  • 2015 / AIA (NSW) Commendation / Residential Architecture Single Houses

Collaborators

  • Builder

    -

    Paul King Pty Ltd
  • Acoustic

    -

    Acoustic Logic
  • Building Surveyor

    -

    Watson Buchan
  • Cost

    -

    Donald Bayley & Associates
  • Hydraulic

    -

    Glenn Haig & Partners
  • Mechanical

    -

    Obrart & Co
  • Structural

    -

    Martin Zimmerman & Associates
  • Landscape Architect

    -

    William Dangar & Associates
  • Interior Design (Furnishings)

    -

    Darren Palmer Design Studio
  • Flood

    -

    Cardno
  • Swimming Pool Engineer

    -

    Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners
  • Town Planner

    -

    Moody & Doyle
  • Abortist/Tree Transplanter

    -

    Tree Transplanters Australia
  • Geotechnical

    -

    Martens & Associates
  • Water Services Coordinator

    -

    Frawley Design Services
  • Private Certifier

    -

    Vic Lilli & Partners
  • Photographer

    -

    Michael Nicholson / Prue Ruscoe