Sydney harbour palazzo

Like a good wine, good houses age well; improving with the passing of the years.  The recent shoot of this large waterfront house located on Sydney harbour, Vaucluse displays the merging of landscape architecture by William Dangar & Associates and Luigi Rosselli architects.

In Italian, the word ‘palazzo’ describes a large family residence which certainly applies to this home. The house needed to be an elegant but neutral backdrop for an art collection and the views.

A long tree lined driveway takes you to a generous cobble paved courtyard.  Passing through the sandstone porch and a large front door you enter the stairwell with cantilevered timber steps.  Large works of art are forced to compete for attention with the expansive harbour views.  The refurbishment of the original 1980s structure of the house was radical and was aimed at bringing the harbour views into the house and maximising their hypnotic and calming effect on the residents.

Photography: Justin Alexander