The Fernleigh Gardens Residence is high-end luxury house designed for an international businessman and his family of two children. Set in the heights of Sydney’s Rose Bay, the design focus was to maximise the breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour in as many functional rooms as possible, and create a series of entertainment spaces for the clients numerous overseas guests.

Frequently travelling abroad, the client required the house to be a sanctuary for him and his family during the time they spent in Australia. It had to have all the comforts and conveniences easily accessible including a full-sized gymnasium, 15-seat cinema, wine cellar, commercial-sized cool room, billiard room, cigar room, and outdoor entertainment area with a swimming pool and sauna. There are also full service staff living quarters.

Designing the house to meet the client’s requirements came with several challenges. Security was paramount, and it was essential to protect the living areas from the western sun while maintaining the stunning view with northern sun throughout the day.

The key to the design was creating a connection between the harbour and the house. This was achieved through a water feature that ran along the eastern boundary, allowing guests to see the water flowing along the side of the house from within the living space. With the site elevated so high up, the living room became an island on its own, surrounded by water and creating a greater connection to the harbour. The living room thus became an island in the harbour, providing a sanctuary for the family and their guests.Regenerate response