Zulaikha Laurence House

At the end of a beautiful Balmain laneway, this house by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer with Drew Heath Architect sits on the harbour, overlooking a foreshore park. In 2007, it won both the Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Residential Architecture (Houses) and the NSW Residential Alterations and Additions Award. Clearly influenced by the owners’ love of Japan, where they have both spent a lot of time, the house is one that is responsive to its occupants and how they plan to use it on any one day as well as the seasons and the weather. It is a house that speaks more of an experience than square metres; and more of aesthetics and its surroundings than a simple checklist of rooms. It offers a transformative experience to anyone who lives there or visits.

A BresicWhitney film
Videographer: Simon Hewson