Robust & Protective Architecture - Northumberland Street by Mark Shapiro Architects

Mark Shapiro Architects approached the materiality and transition between interior and exterior with a focus on solidity and form. The concept and driving principles behind the landscape follow as an extension of the architecture. Not only do folding glazed openings invite the landscape inside, but also the resulting geometries form the foundation for a series of platforms, one of which houses the pool, while others facilitate an array of softening native low-maintenance, resilient plantings.

Comprised predominantly from off-form concrete, other pockets of polished concrete and timber form the basis of the core materiality. The utilisation of timber throughout in both flooring, cladding, planning and in joinery all add an element of warmth and encourages engagement, which is then contrasted with natural stone for tactility. The use of both exposed structural concrete and natural materials shows honesty, and is an expression of the robustness intended for this home.

By generously allowing for the opening of the façade elements and the total engulfing of the interior by the expansive ocean views beyond, Mark Shapiro Architects has maximised experience of the site’s location. However, manual and electronic operable external elements allow for control of both the views and thermal tempering of spaces by the inhabitants. Through a combination of robust materiality, openable façade elements, and an integrated approach to the site and landscape design, Northumberland Street brings a classic contemporary luxury to its enviable coastal address.