River of Life is a Light and Airy Sydney Home by Sandbox Studio

River of Life is a house designed by Sandbox Studio in Sydney in 2023. Nestled into Curl Curl, it celebrates an “open and connected modern liveability”. It balances double-pitched forms with the surrounding vernacular while presenting its own distinctive identity through material choices governed by a “sustainable spirit” and dedication to timeless design that honors the landscape.

Modern tropical villa with sleek white facade, stone accent wall, and lush landscaping.

River of Life by Sandbox Studio is a lighthearted canvas

Design studio Sandbox Studio’s River of Life features soft grey weatherboards that overlay saturated views of the gardens below for a “neutral and muted” house in Sydney.

The project is nestled into a coastal and residential area known as Curl Curl, or Curial Curial, meaning “river of life” in the local indigenous language, to which the house owes its name.

Modern, open-plan kitchen with stone walls, wood finishes, and sliding glass doors leading to outdoor patio.
“The reference to the double-gable silhouette pays homage to the existing context, reinterpreting the use of timber weatherboard panelling vertically instead of horizontally,” it said.

“The result emphasises the height and scale of the home, and together with a neutral and muted colour palette both internally and externally, an overall lightness elicits calm.”

Spacious, modern kitchen and dining area with natural wood accents, stone fireplace.

River of Life pays homage with “double-gable” silhouette

The home serves as a “sanctuary” for a “young” family of four. It features a monochrome foundation, shrouded in chevron-like window frames that shelter neutral-toned interiors arranged to stimulate dynamic interactions.

“Designed intentionally for a young and energetic family, the role of the home needed to be one of recharge and reset,” said Sandbox Studio.

“The fluid and open approach to planning internally overlays a flexibility for the years ahead, connecting between zones and pushing useability out into the surrounding garden.”

Bright, minimalist kitchen with modern wood furnishings and a striking woven pendant light.
Emerging from a bed of dark green vegetation, the house showcases a subdued facade finished in Victorian ash boards.

Interspersed between longlines are textured concrete accents, including thin door and window frames, a grey brick chimney, concrete garden pathways and flooring, tracing the walkway from inside the house to the outdoor swimming pool.

Outdoor designs provided room for collaboration, supplemented by a fire pit and rock climbing wall, an assortment of garden furniture and curated greenery “integrated amongst the architectural elements and the hard and soft plantings”.

A minimalist bathroom with a wooden vanity, vessel sink, and large mirror framed in metal.
“The pool becomes an invitation to relax and reflect, pausing within the garden space,” Sandbox said.

Beneath a hipped roof, a curved entry void shelters the main door, opening the house to large well-lit interiors in natural materials.

In the living space, accents like the pale-grey fireplace and grey brick mantle reflect natural light inward.

Additional statements include a “custom concrete staircase”, offset to the left of the entryway, framed by flag-like panes of glass that usher in sunlight while providing views of the garden from the inside.

Spacious, minimalist bathroom with large, tiled shower area, modern fixtures, and natural lighting.

River of Life intended to “capture” liveability and sustainability

The combination of glass openings and concrete foundations allowed for passive cooling throughout the day, striking a balance to accommodate high-intensity activities.

“Together with other passive cooling mechanisms, the increased thermal mass of the concrete foundations assist in retaining heat, while also acting as a robust base for everyday family life,” said the studio.

“Able to be adapted to suit differing ages and functions, the flexibility in the planning is ideal for the anticipated years to come and the need to allow for separation and togetherness,” Sandbox added.

Spacious open-concept patio with wooden floors, comfortable seating, and natural light.
Supplementing neutral tones, appliances in the dining room were set against a monochrome background.

Materials like dark cupboard shelving, wood-burnt carpentry, an earthy-grey stone countertop and pale grey bricks accented a white-cream interior, contributing to a holistic “calm composition”.

Contemporary tropical-style home with sleek white exterior, pool, and lush landscaping.
The house’s modest material application was complemented by furniture seen in the living room, garden and kitchen that continued a light gradient.

This included wooden sofas and tan-upholstered chairs, a centred coffee table, outdoor stone furniture, cooking ware and organic-shaped plant-pots, framed beneath a high-hung ceiling.

“Every detail sensitively navigates the landscape, from the defined architectural linework to the sustainable features integrated throughout,” said Sandbox Studio.

A modern, minimalist home with a large covered patio, stone fireplace, and landscaped garden.

Photography by Katherine Lu
Visit Sandbox Studio

- by Matt Watts

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