Irrawaddy

On the land of the Cammeraygal people.

Irrawaddy is a house that nurtures and provides respite to a large family of eight, including six children, in the middle of rapidly evolving northern suburbs of Sydney, a stone’s throw from major commercial, retail and industrial districts. It celebrates the clients’ ideals around family, life and spirituality.

A variety of spaces were required for retreat, work, play and gathering in small and large groups. They needed to be as relevant now with young children as they will be in the future as children move out.

Each of the six children have their own individual bedroom. These tiny bedrooms, only 2.3m x 1.9m and are paired together with playful interconnecting sliding walls. As less bedrooms are required in the future as children move out of home, the layout can be easily varied, effectively doubling the room size.

Achieving this allowed the ground floor to remain completely free. The mantis-like steel structure is expressed inside and out and straddles the ground floor. Extensive overhangs allow living spaces to spill out beyond the building footprint and suddenly the need for internal built areas to be large, as you might expect for a family of 8, is unnecessary.

Stories of the Irrawaddy River were shared by our Burmese clients. Of it being synonymous with the lifeblood of their culture and fundamental to every aspect - commerce, transport, spirituality, and not least, shelter. Inspiration was taken from the vernacular of delta houses built on stilts. Practical lightweight structures, admired for their use of local materials and sensitivity to geographical and cultural conditions.

Motivated by their six children, playful elements are scattered throughout. A loft space is accessed by a rolling ladder through high-level joinery. Monkey bars span between pavilions. Pivoting screens steal views between levels.

Irrawaddy is a house to gather yet retreat, work yet play.

Project Team : Matt Elkan, Daina Cunningham, John Hooghuis, Sam Horspool, Lauren Maley 

Builder : Avalon Constructions

Engineer : PMI Engineers

Landscape Architect : Even Spaces - Eve Valensise

Joinery : Taylor Made Joinery

Lighting : Tovo

Photographs : Clinton Weaver

Awards || Publications

2024 NSW Architecture Awards -  Residential Architecture - Houses (New) - Commendation

2024 NSW Architecture Awards - EMAGN Project Award - Shortlist

2024 Houses Awards - New House Over 200m2 - Shortlisted

2024 MBA NSW Housing - 'Best use of Timber' (Avalon Constructions) 

2024 Australian Timber Design Awards - Winner - 'Best use of Australian Certified Timber'

Green Magazine - Issue 98