RARE DIAMOND BAY FRONT-ROW HOME HITS MARKET

Considered one of Sydney’s coastal gems, Vaucluse is famous for its multimillion-dollar water views. Only a handful of homes, however, have the luxury of an uninterrupted panorama over Diamond Bay Reserve looking directly out to the Pacific Ocean horizon.

The dramatic cliff-top park is a sought-after neighbour and a popular spot among locals, thanks to its breathtaking boardwalk that snakes through the exclusive suburb.

Once home to a dairy depot, the green space was formerly frequented by horse-drawn carts rather than today’s SUVs. It was gazetted to be a public space by the mid-1800s.

Craig Ave is a rare slice of Eastern Suburbs real estate bordering the elevated Diamond Bay parkland, where just half a dozen residences can claim that never-to-be-built-out front row position.

Back in 2015, the original bungalow at number five was replaced with a contemporary pair of residences, allowing for a duo of homeowners to lay claim to the enviable outlook.

On the ground floor, the three-storey property is freestanding to the north and has a spacious, free-flowing living zone that combines a more formal front lounge room with a state-of-the-art gas kitchen featuring induction cooking and a vast eat-at island bench.

A dining area and casual living space spill out via sliding doors to a covered barbecue deck and private lap pool surrounded by established gardens.

Up via an internal lift, the accommodation level houses four bedrooms with built-ins, including two with integrated desks. In the primary suite, there is a palatial ensuite featuring a bidet, bathtub and twin vanities.

This main bedroom also opens onto a full-width balcony, with the ocean outlook primed for picturesque sunrises.

Built with entertaining in mind, the Vaucluse home also has a lower ground-floor breakout space for teenagers or movie nights for the parents. The large rumpus room adjoins a combined bathroom and laundry with loads of additional under-house storage and direct access to the double lockup garage.

Added extras at the Craig Ave home include a fireplace in the family room, tiled living areas, floorboards in the bedrooms, bespoke joinery throughout and ducted air-conditioning.

The Vaucluse duplex is not only sitting opposite a stunning cliff-side reserve, but is within walking distance of Christison Park, Diamond Bay Bowling Club and the Macquarie Lighthouse, with Vaucluse boutiques and eateries just 750 metres away.

For more information email propertyconcierge@kanebridge.com.au

Australia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.

The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.

Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.

Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.

The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.

The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.

“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.

“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”

Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.

The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.

According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.

Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.

The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.

RARE DIAMOND BAY FRONT-ROW HOME HITS MARKET

This Vaucluse duplex is one of only six residences enjoying a never-to-be-built-out position above the Pacific.

Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.