A surfer’s retreat is carved into complex site conditions to capture the priceless waterfront views of one of Sydney’s exclusive beaches.
Perched on a steep terrain in Palm Beach, Sydney, a surfer’s studio is cleverly concealed as a reclusive sanctuary to celebrate a simpler life. Carved into what are challenging environmental conditions and contours, Northern Lights has been designed and constructed by Cadence & Co. “What was once an overgrown jungle has been transformed through a combination of tenacity and skill. Clever engineering and construction have allowed this hillside studio to slot between two existing residences and in front of a protected native cheese tree,” Cadence & Co project architect Natasha Grice says.
Uniquely disguised at street level, the studio rests below the driveway, which ingeniously acts as the roof. This allows accessibility to the studio to remain discreet along a side passageway and reserved for those who know where it is. Taking cues from the geographic surroundings, the concrete roof has been shaped as a curve to mimic the surf, referencing its location.