River of Life is a house designed by Sandbox Studio in Sydney in 2023. Nestled into Curl Curl, it celebrates an “open and connected modern liveability”. It balances double-pitched forms with the surrounding vernacular while presenting its own distinctive identity through material choices governed by a “sustainable spirit” and dedication to timeless design that honors the landscape.

River of Life by Sandbox Studio is a lighthearted canvas
Design studio Sandbox Studio’s River of Life features soft grey weatherboards that overlay saturated views of the gardens below for a “neutral and muted” house in Sydney.
The project is nestled into a coastal and residential area known as Curl Curl, or Curial Curial, meaning “river of life” in the local indigenous language, to which the house owes its name.
“The reference to the double-gable silhouette pays homage to the existing context, reinterpreting the use of timber weatherboard panelling vertically instead of horizontally,” it said.
“The result emphasises the height and scale of the home, and together with a neutral and muted colour palette both internally and externally, an overall lightness elicits calm.”

River of Life pays homage with “double-gable” silhouette
The home serves as a “sanctuary” for a “young” family of four. It features a monochrome foundation, shrouded in chevron-like window frames that shelter neutra...