Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects

Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Exterior Photography, BeamAtelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Interior Photography, BeamAtelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Interior Photography, BathroomAtelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Exterior PhotographyAtelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - More Images+ 8

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Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Exterior Photography, Beam
Courtesy of Leopold Banchini Architects

Text description provided by the architects. In the early 1990s, Richard Leplastrier settled on the shore of Lovett Bay, the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. Describing the wonderful project, he wrote: “The house continues a history of simple living on the site, which I suspect has continued for thousands of years (...) Our family of five lives comfortably in this one room. The small room we inhabit, in turn, inhabits a greater room whose walls are cliffs and floors the tidal level of the bay that rises and falls nearly two meters every six hours.”

Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Interior Photography, Beam
Courtesy of Leopold Banchini Architects

Atelier Hawkesbury is another small room built along the same river. Accessible by water only, the projects use a minimum amount of resources and takes advantage of the existing land. Leaning against the sandstone rocks, the lightweight structure is entirely made of 1” by 1” local wood joists and studs. The large staggered roof protects from the heavy rains while allowing the light to filter through.

Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Interior Photography, Windows
Courtesy of Leopold Banchini Architects
Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Image 12 of 13
Facade 1
Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Interior Photography, Beam
Courtesy of Leopold Banchini Architects

Translucent polycarbonate sheets enclose the brightly lit volume while preserving a constant dialogue with the surrounding forest and changing light. The stone cliff that protected the Wannungine and the Darkinyung people for countless years invites itself inside the house and becomes simultaneously a wall and landscape. 

Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Leopold Banchini Architects

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Project location

Address:Hawkesbury River, New South Wales, Australia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Atelier Hawkesbury / Leopold Banchini Architects" 24 Jul 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/965046/atelier-hawkesbury-leopold-banchini-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of Leopold Banchini Architects

霍克斯伯里工作室 / Leopold Banchini Architects

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