Draped House is located in Sydney’s North in a typical suburban neighbourhood bordered by bushland, a place characterised by family homes, generous backyards and established trees.
This new house emerges on a empty block punctuated by three large gum trees. The most commanding, standing tall at the centre of the site, remains as the focal point of the home. The house is defined by a gently curving roof, which mimics that of the gradually sloping site. Beyond its visual function of tying the house to the landscape, the curve provides privacy from the neighbours on the high side and bends down to open up the living areas to the light. In essence, the structure seems straight-forward, slab on ground, timber framing walls and roof, but when you add the curved rafters on top of 6m walls, built on top of finished burnished structural slab, things start to get a bit more interesting. Sprinkle the material and labour shortages on top and stir in some Covid restrictions and site shutdowns, the build no longer looks so simple.
New Home
Trias
SDA Structure
Clinton Weaver
Complex curved roof.
Draped House slots between an existing scribbly gum tree.
Abundant light and natural cross-ventilation create bright, comfortable interiors throughout.
The sliding doors open seamlessly onto the deck area.
Elevation of the Western side of the curved roof.
The timber screen inside the Study / Guest Room provides shade when required.
A look towards the dining and kitchen that incorporates spotted gum lined joinery.
View of the internal Corridor facing North.
The entry courtyard includes a retractable fabric screen that provides additional shade when needed.
Sunken concrete bath with removable shower deck.
The thermal mass of the smooth concrete floors in the living & dining room help keep the house warm year round.
A look at the Entry from the Carport facing South.
At the living room threshold, the sandstone base gives way to smooth concrete flooring.
This new house emerges on a empty block punctuated by three large gum trees. The most commanding, standing tall at the centre of the site, remains as the focal point of the home. The house is defined by a gently curving roof, which mimics that of the gradually sloping site.
Beyond its visual function of tying the house to the landscape, the curve provides privacy from the neighbours on the high side and bends down to open up the living areas to the light. In essence, the structure seems straight-forward, slab on ground, timber framing walls and roof, but when you add the curved rafters on top of 6m walls, built on top of finished burnished structural slab, things start to get a bit more interesting. Sprinkle the material and labour shortages on top and stir in some Covid restrictions and site shutdowns, the build no longer looks so simple.
Our Impact
Working With the Landscape
We preserved three mature gum trees and followed the site’s natural topography by stepping the house with the slope. Minimal excavation was required, a coordinated approach that respected the land and reduced intervention..
Built to Last
We used compressed fibre cement sheeting for the external cladding, selected for its durability, fire resistance, and low-maintenance performance in exposed conditions. Fixings and junctions were detailed and executed to last.
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Material Decisions That Matter
Double-glazed doors were fabricated using reclaimed Australian hardwoods. Salvaged in partnership with the architect, these were refinished and repurposed to deliver warmth, character, and performance, extending the life of materials that would otherwise be lost.
Reuse with Intention
A predominantly timber structure was sourced locally and pre-cut offsite before slab pour. This reduced on-site construction time, minimised waste, and lowered transport-related emissions.
Our Process
Pre-Construction
Pre-construction planning was critical to the success of Draped House. Delivered during the height of COVID, the project required early coordination to navigate industry-wide material shortages and volatile lead times. We worked closely with the architect on material selection, confirm critical path items, and ensure early procurement of long-lead components. As a CDC-approved build on a suburban block with close neighbours, we established early lines of communication to notify those impacted, coordinate key deliveries and pours, and minimise noise and disruption through condensed scheduling.
Early project design model made by Trias.
Eucalyptus punctuating the empty block.
Early Works
Early works focused on careful preparation of the site to protect existing trees and manage underground infrastructure. Sydney Water sewer encasement works were carried out early to avoid delays, followed by excavation and new services for the empty site. Throughout this phase, we worked around retained gums and with tight boundary conditions, sequencing each task to preserve the landscape and set a solid foundation for the build ahead.
Site clearing ready for excavation.
Footing excavation and coordination of services
Structure
A curved, convex roof defines the form of Draped House. The 40-metre radius was cut by our carpenters prior to breaking ground, enabling efficient sequencing and minimising waste. A structural slab poured early in the program forms the finished floor surface and integrates a cast in-situ concrete bath. The efficent structure was precisely executed during the pandemic, using locally sourced, and ahead of time to reduce delays, waste, and cost.
Drone shot of the poured concrete slab.
Structural framing of the convex roof.
Enclosure
A high-performance wall build-up delivers comfort and efficiency across seasons. Fibre cement cladding was used to the south and upper elevations for durability and minimal upkeep, while Spotted Gum cladding brings warmth and tactility to the entry and entertaining areas. Doors and windows were double-glazed and fabricated using reclaimed Australian Hardwoods.
Sliding recycled batten screen acting as privacy and flyscreen
Barestone cladding installed at varied widths
Interiors
The interiors feature a restrained material palette executed with care. A cast in-situ concrete bath was poured with the structural slab, then honed and burnished for a refined finish. Minimal trims, curving shadow lines, and precisely aligned timber joinery demanded exacting coordination to maintain clean, uninterrupted surfaces throughout.
Solid timber floating shelf with no visible fixings
Sample of the bath deck to align with the mosaic tiles
Aftercare
We’ve remained involved in the care of Draped House post-handover, assisting with deck maintenance and the cleaning of sandstone pathways. Our maintenance team supports the upkeep of natural materials, helping to preserve the home’s character and finish over time.
Pressure washed sandstone.
Re-oiling of the deck.
Recognition
Awards
Publications
More Projects
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