The Mosman family’s home redesign by hecticrAt Architects transformed a modest renovation into a full rebuild, creating a stunning three-storey retreat that balances traditional style with contemporary design. Embracing site challenges as opportunities, the architects crafted a light-filled, functional, and beautifully connected space that perfectly suits the family's lifestyle.
**A Dream Home Reimagined: The Mosman Family’s Perfect Retreat**
When a client saw the transformative work \*hecticrAt Architects\* had done for her father on a smaller renovation project, she knew we were the right team to help create her dream home. She approached us with a vision to redesign her existing freestanding house in Mosman, a space that would better suit her, her husband, and their three daughters. What started as a simple renovation quickly evolved into a larger, more ambitious project due to space and layout constraints.
The initial brief was to make alterations to the existing home, but after exploring the possibilities, it became clear that the house could not fully meet their needs without a more radical solution. After thoughtful discussions and planning, we proposed a complete knock-down and rebuild, offering the family a fresh start while still respecting the home’s legacy.
The site itself posed several challenges—steep slopes, strict Mosman Council requirements regarding landscaped areas, floor space ratio, and building heights. But rather than seeing these constraints as obstacles, we embraced them as an opportunity to push the boundaries of design. The result is a stunning, three-storey home that is as functional as it is beautiful. The lower level houses the garage, the middle floor features a spacious living room with a sunken lounge, and an open-plan kitchen and dining area, while the upper level offers four generously sized bedrooms for the family.
The design strikes a balance between the client’s preference for more traditional building styles and the contemporary touch \*hecticrAt Architects\* is known for. A U-shaped floor plan wraps around a tranquil fountain courtyard, creating a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. Beautifully landscaped gardens by Osmosis Gardens frame the home, enhancing its connection to nature.
Inside, the home features high ceilings, stone-clad basement walls and chimneys, intricate cornice detailing, large arched windows, and custom-designed rainwater heads that add character and charm. Built-in joinery throughout, including window seats that frame picturesque views of both the front street and the rear garden, makes the home feel both functional and luxurious.
As the project nears completion later this year, the clients are already thrilled with the transformation. The new design has vastly improved the daylighting, spaciousness, and functionality compared to their old home, offering a light-filled and connected living environment that perfectly suits their family’s lifestyle. It’s a home they will enjoy for years to come, where comfort, style, and practicality come together in perfect harmony.