Conceived as a landscape for living in – one that acknowledges and celebrates the interdependence of humans and their habitat – this home is a blueprint for future development.

Internally, the home is organised around connections to the outside. Skylights punctuate the plan delivering light to the entry lobby, bathrooms and internalised corridor. In addition, a deep cut within the living space brings the landscape into the home, while the private sleeping spaces of the dwelling are formal. This strategy has been employed to create a sense of drama to the dwelling and allows easy compartmentalisation.

The garden’s flora is predominantly native, creating an oasis for indigenous birds and insects. This small piece of sky landscape aims to contribute to the opportunistic network of small inner city native landscape spaces and public parks that provide respite for fauna.

While not attempting to directly reference the aesthetic of the original building below, the penthouse addition aims to follow its lead, delivering a raw concrete space with large expanses of glass to encourage light penetration. The material palette is simple, raw and not intended to be overly detailed. The use of concrete throughout, timber floors, painted plasterboard and external granite paving gives the home a relaxed feel.

Cleveland Rooftop demonstrates that it is possible to live harmoniously with nature in a densely populated urban environment.