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HILL HOUSE | MAROUBRA

Modern multi-story house with a dark gray garage door, black gate, and white exterior walls, featuring large glass windows and balconies, with a small tree and grass in front.
View of a modern residential building entrance with a gate, pathway, and exterior wall featuring stone and glass, surrounded by greenery.
A modern outdoor water feature with a mosaic tile wall, stone steps, and a black vertical slat fence.
Outdoor water feature with a tiled wall, a small waterfall, and illuminated steps surrounded by greenery and wooden fencing.
Close-up of a building wall with a section made of stacked beige stone bricks, a glass window on the left, and a mosaic tile wall on the right.
Close-up of a mosaic-tiled wall with a blurred background of trees and sky.
Modern apartment building with glass balconies and metal railings under a light blue sky.
Modern balcony with glass railing on an apartment building, sunlight and clear sky in the background.
Close-up of a textured stone wall in the foreground, with a window and a tall white vase with green plant leaves in the background.
Looking up at a modern ceiling with recessed lighting, glass walls, and a circular light fixture in the center.
Dining area with a dark wooden table and six black leather chairs; a potted plant with white flowers is on the table; an open door reveals an outdoor shower with mosaic tiles on the wall.
Close-up view of a modern building's exterior with horizontal black louvers and a corner with a flat roof, against a cloudy sky.
Living room with leather sofas, a coffee table, sliding glass door leading to an outdoor patio, view of trees and sky, kitchen area with a marble island, and decorative shelves on the wall.
A black dining table with a gray placemat in the center, topped with a black pot containing white orchids. Behind the table, a black chair is visible against a beige stacked stone wall, illuminated from above by a hidden light source.
Part of a kitchen or dining area with a marble countertop, two wooden and metal bar stools, and a leather sofa near a large window with blurred outdoor scenery.
Modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, double oven, and beige marble countertop with a kitchen sink and curved faucet. Details and cabinetry designed by Scalabrino Architecture.
A beige marble countertop with two wooden stools and a white vase with a floral arrangement of white flowers, dark purple leaves, and green monstera leaves, in a room with sheer white curtains.
Interior living room with a wall-mounted fireplace, a leather sofa, and a white wall with three wooden shelves holding books, sculptures, and decorative items, including a plant.
A wooden shelf with books, a small panda figurine, and a decorative golden dragon sculpture on the left. Part of a green houseplant with broad leaves is visible in the foreground. A black fireplace with logs is on the right, and a white wall separate
View from underneath a wooden staircase showing a stone wall, a chair, and a mosaic wall in the background.
Perspective view of wooden table legs on a tiled floor, taken from a low angle.
A modern living room corner with a flat-screen TV on a white wall, a potted plant on a gray floating cabinet, and neatly folded clothes in pink, black, and brown on a ledge in front.
Close-up of a metallic cabinet with a plant on it, against a blurred teal background with some light reflections. Designed by Scalabrino Architecture.
Indoor view of a sliding glass door opening to a backyard swimming pool, with trees and a wooden fence in the background, and a vase of flowers on a countertop inside.
Modern house with large glass sliding doors, view of a swimming pool reflecting the house, and a silhouette of a woman inside near a yellow door.
A vase with white and dark purple flowers and green leaves on a countertop next to a window with a view of a swimming pool and trees outside.
Close-up of a swimming pool with a glass barrier and a wooden fence with string lights and greenery in the background, illuminated at night.
Main bathroom simple clean tiles and marble vanity. Showcasing tall narrow window, a shower area with glass partition. Designed by Scalabrino Architecture.

Hill House | House plan for split-level home inspired by Fallingwater 

The Brief

Positioned on an elevated site along Boyce Road in Maroubra, the property offered panoramic city views to the north and Botany Bay views to the south-west. The existing dwelling, structurally compromised by an unsound addition, required a complete knockdown and rebuild.

The brief called for contemporary house plans for a split-level home inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Horizontal planes, natural materials, and a strong relationship to water were central to the vision, as was the accommodation of the practicalities of family life across three levels.

The upper level was to serve as a private retreat, with a main bedroom suite - incorporating a walk-in robe and ensuite - oriented to capture the city views, while two children’s bedrooms faced Botany Bay. The entry level was conceived as the heart of the home, integrating open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas with a separate study and laundry, and providing split-level access to a double garage. The lower level was dedicated to recreation, housing a teenage retreat and entertainment zone that opened directly to the garden, outdoor entertaining, and pool.

Together, these requirements articulated a home that was both contemporary in expression and enduring in function - a residence attuned to family life and to the horizontality and outlook of its elevated site.

The Scalabrino Solution

The design reinterpreted the principles of Fallingwater for an urban, sloping site. House plans for split-level homes demand careful orchestration - every adjustment to height, level or view affects light, circulation, and privacy. The solution was to anchor the home with a continuous stone spine that linked all three levels. Linear planes of stone and concrete, broad overhangs, and expansive glazing resolved the interplay of light, outlook, and shade across the sloping site.

Key elements included:

  • Defining the entry
    A recessed, fully glazed double-volume entry was positioned to the side, ensuring privacy from the street while signalling openness. The approach is softened with a stepped platform stair and integrated landscaping, culminating in a feature water wall. Visible from all entry-level spaces, it establishes calm and continuity  - an elemental design feature carried throughout the home.

  • Central lightwell and stair
    The central stairwell was conceived as an open vertical lightwell with dual purpose, drawing daylight deep into the centre of the home while acting as a passive ventilation shaft. Operable windows at the upper level allow warm air to rise and escape naturally, cooling the home while minimising energy consumption. Acting as the home’s structural spine, the stair and lightwell unified circulation while marking the division between public and private spaces.

  • Living areas and stone fireplace
    An open-plan living and dining area is anchored by a natural stone wall and fireplace, establishing both permanence and focus within the home. The fireplace forms the central design element, providing warmth while anchoring the heart of family life. Enveloping this, natural materials are articulated with a continuous stone spine grounding the plan, timber floors introducing warmth, and expansive glazing reinforcing openness and light. The elongated kitchen is resolved with a stone benchtop and integrated seating, combining preparation and dining functions in one gesture - supporting everyday routines and larger gatherings.

  • Balconies and overhangs
    Deep horizontal overhangs protected west-facing bedrooms from the afternoon sun, functioning as climatic devices while framing views. To the north, a covered balcony spans the family area, allowing extension of the living space outward and capturing city views. In doing so, the design expressed Fallingwater’s horizontality within a coastal, urban context - blending practicality and outlook.

  • Lower-ground entertaining
    The lower level was designed for adaptability across life stages, functioning initially as a children’s playroom and later as a teenage retreat. Equipped with a kitchenette, guest bathroom, and direct access to the garden and pool, it provided flexible zoning without fragmenting the home. The wet-edge pool continued the water narrative, visually cascading from the entry feature to the garden below.

The Realised Home

The result is a house plan for a split-level home that unites order with openness. While split-level designs can risk fragmentation, here the stone spine, vertical lightwell, and layered horizontality created cohesion across three distinct levels. The architecture achieves functional performance and spatial clarity while maintaining an enduring character.

Client Testimonial 

“I’ve worked with Maxine on a number of detailed projects throughout the years and always found her to be passionate and professional about her design, while always achieving the best outcome for her clients.”

Bart, Lurline Construction

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