A modern family home in Sydney, the design for Sole House quietly balances calmness, connection, and craft while reworking the traditional housing typology. Designed by 868 Architects for a young family with deep ties to Fiji, this house reimagines mid-century principles through a contemporary lens. Drawing on the family’s cultural heritage, the home evokes the relaxed atmosphere of a Fijian retreat while being built to support the rhythms of everyday life.
Set on a gently sloping corner block in Bardwell Park, the home was designed to respond naturally to its site. Rather than levelling or dominating the terrain, the plan follows it, forming a layout that feels intuitive and grounded. The result is a home that opens generously to its garden surroundings while maintaining privacy, even on an exposed site.
From the moment you step inside, there’s a quiet sense of flow. A sunken living room anchors the centre of the home and connects to a central courtyard, bringing natural light and softness into the interior. The kitchen and dining spaces open out to a sunny lawn and pool, perfect for family life and entertaining. There’s a softness to the way light moves through the space, catching textured surfaces and warming the air. An alfresco zone extends the usable space outdoors, blurring the line between inside and out.
The interiors are calm and timeless, built around a palette that favours texture over trend. White bagged brick adds softness and lightness to the structure, while honed travertine underfoot brings natural weight and elegance. Bronze-toned accents in powder-coated steel provide subtle contrast without disrupting the home’s restful tone. This use of materials creates a sense of warmth and depth that shifts with the changing light throughout the day. Custom joinery, crafted in close collaboration with local makers, reinforces the consistent material palette and cohesive tone throughout the interiors.
Externally, timber-look aluminium used across the soffits, cladding, and screens plays a key role in tying the architecture together. Finished in a soft sycamore tone, it delivers the natural warmth of timber with the benefits of low-maintenance performance. It reinforces the home’s cohesive feel while also offering long-term durability and recyclability, supporting a more sustainable approach to material choice and everyday living.
Rather than impose itself on the site, the home is shaped by it. Volumes are carefully positioned to allow light and air to move freely, and the layout encourages intuitive transitions between living, gathering, and retreating. The design avoids overbuilding, instead letting the natural slope and open sky define a home that feels expansive, light-filled, and grounded in place. The family’s connection to Fiji influenced not just the spatial logic but also the overall tone of the house. This is not a literal translation of tropical architecture, but rather a feeling of openness, breeziness, and softness, a space that invites both movement and stillness.
Behind the project is a team of skilled collaborators, including a family-owned construction company and specialist Australian makers who brought the vision to life with precision and care. Their shared commitment to quality is visible in every detail, from the seamless cladding to the crafted joinery. It’s a place to slow down, feel at ease, and grow into. The clients wanted a modern Australian home that combined design clarity with everyday comfort, and Sole House delivers a thoughtful example of contemporary living tailored to their lifestyle.
If you would like to learn more about 868 Architects, you can visit their CO-architecture business profile, where you’ll find detailed information on their studio, latest projects like Pebble House, design philosophy and contact details.
PROJECT DETAILS
Architecture & Interiors: 868 Architects
Location: Bardwell Park, NSW
Photographer: Martin Siegner
Build and Development: Hammercorp
Landscape Design: Sydney City Landscapes
Engineering: AE Consulting Engineers
Joinery: Joinery X
Aluminium Profiles: Knotwood
