Designed by Sydney-based architectural practice, DKC, Willoughby Bay House embraces classic Australian architecture and technical expertise to reimagine a family home that celebrates its extraordinary waterfront setting.
Located on the eastern edge of Willoughby Bay and Northbridge Reserve and resting on Hawkesbury Sandstone, Willoughby Bay House thoughtfully responds to the challenges and opportunities of its ecologically important and scenic surroundings.
Originally developed in the mid-1990s, the property was showing signs of age and degradation when the owners first approached DKC in 2020. The practice’s design response has gone on to transform the complex site into a multi-level family sanctuary that honours the surrounding landscape.
What began as a request for a new boat shed evolved over three years into a reimagining of the entire site. Designed across multiple levels, the property includes a striking boat shed with a distinctive copper roof, a cascading stairway, a cabana, a tennis court, terraced gardens and a waterfront pool, all tied together by an inclinator and interconnected walkways.
The long, steep site features a dramatic 32-metre vertical descent from the street to the water’s edge, offering expansive views across the bay. The design harnesses the steeply sloped site to its fullest, leveraging the opportunity to deliver a zoned approach in which each level maximises its setting.
"Transforming a site with such a dramatic vertical drop into a liveable, connected space demanded creative vision and rigorous technical execution," said Jon King, lead architect at DKC. "With the client’s trust, the architectural language of the boat shed was extended to upgrade the entire property and arrive at a design which emphatically embraces the site’s magnificent location."
The main house, tennis court and a concrete stair that connects the site to street level were retained and provided solid foundations that DKC used as the basis for the transformation. By extending eaves, opening sightlines and integrating structural columns into the interiors, DKC reimagined the house as a contemporary, connected family home.
The boat shed at the lowest level of the property houses the homeowners’ surf skis and offers direct access to the water in a celebration of Sydney’s quintessential waterfront lifestyle.
Copper, prominently featured in the boat shed roof as well as the cabana and carport was chosen for its fire-resistant properties, high recycled content, and recyclability at end of life.
“The beauty of copper is that it does not corrode, but patinates and changes in the conditions. It also provides a timeless aesthetic that echoes the natural hues of the surrounding bushland,” added King. Gabion walls fi lled with local sandstone support the terraces, while sustainably sourced timber further root the design in its Australian context, off ering resilience against bushfi re hazards while contributing to the property’s classic Australian aesthetic and enduring beauty.
"The selection of materials was as much about durability and fi re resistance as it was about creating a connection to the site’s context. Copper, sandstone and timber are not only robust but also evoke a uniquely Australian design language that feels timeless and grounded," said King.
The dramatic cantilevered pool was designed to mirror the waterway below, complemented by terraces that extend the living spaces into the landscape, enhancing the home’s connection to its surroundings.
Subtle references to Japanese design principles abound and enrich the architectural language of Willoughby Bay House. The inclinator, almost reminiscent of a traditional Japanese carrying vehicle, off ers a refi ned yet functional solution for navigating the steep 32-metre descent, while the clean lines and minimalist detailing throughout the property echo the simplicity and craftsmanship synonymous with Japanese design.
To enhance thermal performance and comply with stringent bushfi re regulations, the existing house was retrofi tted with high-performance windows, new eaves and roofi ng, while extensive landscaping regenerated the gardens with native fl ora. Collaborating with a project ecologist, DKC introduced endemic plant species to improve biodiversity and create a buff er zone that connects the property to the adjacent bushland reserve.
The technical challenges of the site required the reworking of retaining walls to accommodate the steep and unstable terrain and the installation of a dramatic new landscape stair and inclinator providing connection to views and charming modes of movement down from street level to the waters edge and boatshed.
The design sought to balance private amenity with public interest, maintaining public access along the waterfront and view-sharing from public footpaths, while providing an enduring sanctuary for the homeowners.
King added, “The client’s background in mining provided a shared understanding of the engineering challenges of the project, enabling us to push the boundaries of what could be achieved.
“Sustainable design principles underpinned every detail, from retaining the building's bones to ensuring longevity in its coastal surrounds and connection to the adjoining bushland. Willoughby Bay House demonstrates that careful, sensitive design can create a lasting legacy for both its occupants and the environment."
Team:
Architects: DKC Architecture
Photographer: Luke Butterly
