A roof that breathes
From the street, Bellevue Hill House appears to hover lightly above its steep slope, a sculptural form with sweeping lines that mirror the rise and fall of the harbour beyond. What immediately captures the eye is the warmth of timber, not just in the detailing of the facade, but most strikingly in the roof itself. In a suburb known for its grand sandstone and concrete homes, this choice feels both daring and disarmingly natural, as if the house is less a statement and more an extension of the landscape.
Designing a roof in timber is no small feat. The architects at Sydesign softened the home’s modern geometry with Sculptform’s Tongue & Groove cladding, chosen for its clean lines and refined finish. The material catches the shifting light and lends the home a sense of calm, but at this scale and in such an exposed location, timber also presents challenges.
Sydney’s fierce sun and salt-tinged air can test even the most carefully detailed design. To protect the vision for the long term, the team turned to CUTEK®, a timber protection system that works differently to traditional coatings.
Where most finishes sit on the surface, prone to cracking and peeling, CUTEK® penetrates deep into the fibres, stabilising the timber from within. It moves with the natural expansion and contraction of the material, quietly resisting the cycle of warping, splitting and fading that can so easily undo a bold design. The roof of Bellevue Hill House, perched high and fully exposed, demanded exactly this type of protection — something invisible yet indispensable.
There is also a poetic quality to the way CUTEK® supports the home’s aesthetic. Rather than masking the grain, the oil enriches it, allowing the timber to tell its story year after year. As the seasons pass, the surface will weather gracefully, silvering in the sun while retaining its strength and stability beneath. It is a roof designed not just to shelter, but to age with dignity, carrying the patina of time as part of its beauty.
The result is a home that feels alive. Timber, protected and enhanced by CUTEK®, allows the architecture to breathe — to be modern yet warm, sculptural yet human. The roof, once a daring design decision, has become the defining feature of Bellevue Hill House — a reminder that when natural materials are treated with intelligence and respect, they can rise to extraordinary heights.
Project details
Architect: Sydesign
Builder: Technique Build
Location: Bellevue Hill, NSW
Photography: Neil Fenelen
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