Designed and built as my own home, 13 Hoggard Street provided an opportunity to explore architecture without compromise. Having lived on the site for several years, I had developed a deep understanding of its character, from the movement of the sun throughout the day to the established orchard and the views across the surrounding hills. Rather than working against these constraints, the design sought to use them as the foundation for every architectural decision

The steeply sloping site naturally lent itself to a split-level solution. Rather than imposing a large building onto the hillside, the home steps with the existing topography over three levels, reducing its perceived scale while strengthening its relationship with the landscape. The central living level opens directly onto a courtyard, while the more private spaces are carefully embedded within the planting, creating a gradual transition between architecture and garden.

The building is expressed as two distinct forms: the primary residence and a detached studio. This separation reduces the visual mass of the house while introducing flexibility, allowing the studio to function as a home office, guest accommodation or an independent dwelling as needs change over time.