August 2025
Recent business in Sydney provided the opportunity for DSGNR to visit some of the incredible residential architecture shaping the city's neighbourhoods.
From Mediterranean-inspired curves to bold geometric statements, Sydney's architects and interior designers are pushing boundaries while creating beautiful homes that actually work for everyday living.
Here are five standout projects that caught our eye, each offering its own take on what contemporary residential design can be.
Mediterranean modernism
Walking through Vaucluse, this white-rendered beauty caught our eye with its gentle curves and deeply set windows. There's something timeless about these Mediterranean-inspired forms that just works in Sydney's climate, those deep openings create beautiful shadows throughout the day and probably keep things cooler during those intense summer months. It's quite different from the angular, landscape-hugging approach we often see back home in New Zealand. Sometimes the simplest shapes can create the most striking results, and this place proves that minimalism doesn't have to feel stark or unwelcoming.
Timber screen revolution
You can't walk through Sydney's newer residential areas without noticing these vertical timber screens everywhere, for good reason. This house shows how clever this approach really is, creating privacy while still feeling connected to the street. It's like a more sophisticated version of a fence, if you think about it. The rhythm of those timber battens catches the light beautifully and adds warmth to what could otherwise be quite a stark facade. It's one of those solutions that's both practical and visually appealing, the kind of detail that makes you stop and take a second look.
Geometric drama
Some houses blend into their surroundings; others make you stop in your tracks. This one definitely falls into the latter category, with its dramatic faceted panels creating constantly changing shadow patterns as the sun moves across the sky. It's a bold move for a suburban street, but somehow it works without feeling showy or over the top. The all-white palette probably helps keep it feeling sophisticated rather than chaotic. It's fascinating to see how residential architecture can push boundaries while still being a home where people actually live.
Curved timber elegance
Multi-residential buildings often struggle to feel anything other than, well, institutional, but Yugen's curved timber screens change everything. The sweeping forms are quite striking and must have required some serious engineering to achieve, but the result elevates what could have been just another apartment block into something special. Those curves soften the building's presence on the street while the timber screening gives residents privacy without making the place feel closed off. It's a thoughtful approach to density that actually adds beauty to the neighborhood. Have a look at the story about Yugen here.
Material honesty
The layering of materials in this house stood out, that beautiful natural stone base, the warm timber screening in the middle, and the clean white render up top. Each material seems to have its own job to do, creating this sense of the building being grounded while still feeling light and contemporary. It's not trying to be flashy or show off; it's just honest materials doing what they do best. There's something refreshing about that approach, letting the natural beauty of stone and timber speak for itself rather than covering everything up.
