Long Reef House by CHROFI Links to Garden and Ocean Views

The house was originally oversized and out of scale with its surroundings. CHROFI adjusted it to better align with the surrounding context, enhancing its character through layered expressions and architectural detailing.

A “subtle shift” in planning split the programme horizontally to create a garden level with casual living areas and children’s bedrooms, as well as an upper level with living spaces and a private parent’s retreat.

“The result is a much stronger connection to garden and a natural flow through the interior spaces,” the team said. “Apart from re-proportioning and clearing out small dark interior rooms, the stair became a key design element.”

The stairway was aligned with the front entry door, drawing residents upward to the “light-filled open plan living” and aligning diagonal to the ocean view. CHROFI says the arrangement responds directly to the needs of a modern family. “So, the interior continues to give visual value long after the ocean views have faded.”

Externally, the new facade plays its role in “grounding the building,” according to the team.

“The previous street facade was bulky in scale and adorned in geometries,” CHROFI said.

“Stripping these elements back reimagined the facade into sliding horizontal planes”. A new concrete beam that spans the full width of the frontage helps pull the bulk down and rebalance the front visual scale.

The rear opens up with expansive glazing and exterior balconies “connecting to the outside.” Two exterior balconies are stacked one above the other, while the stair creates a double-height vertical slot to balance the composition.

CHROFI selected off-form concrete and render for the material palette, pairing it with recycled hardwood timber for the doors and ventilation panels. Materials were composed to enhance tactility and to suit the home’s coastal setting.

“The roof is left to be quiet and unassuming with the deep eave creating a consistent datum,” the team said.

Warm timber cladding and detailing balance out the hard surfaces inside and out, while careful detailing helped to align the spaces smoothly.

“The house is sophisticated yet relaxed aligning with the client’s lifestyle and appropriate with its context,” the team said.

CHROFI is based in Sydney. Architecture projects in the area include an upscale Bondi neighbourhood by UK studio, John McAslan + Partners.