Books House Project in the Australian City of Mosman

The Books House project by Luigi Rosselli Architects was realized in the Australian city of Mosman. The building resembles a stack of books arbitrarily arranged on a table. Architect Luigi Rosselli recognized that books can also resemble the protruding features of a steep slope of Sydney-Hawksbury to the north of Sydney Harbour.

The rock is an inseparable part of the building from the basement to the top level, where sandstone formations create an ancient geological landscape. Views from the living room and study overlook the rock with a gently curved sequence of steps skillfully carved from stone and leading up to an old red jasmine bush. These steps lead to a small pool and a cave carved into the cliff face, perfectly suited for meditation and contemplation about Buddha.

This house was designed after reading the book «The Importance of Life» by Lin Yutang, which was necessary for a deeper understanding of housing culture in China. Thus, the «Dragon Path» was envisioned, winding all the way to the front door and not merely for climbing a steep hillside but also to beautify the journey to the home, rejecting straight geometry.

Luigi Rosselli and Cristina Sahlestrom drew much from Chinese architectural culture during the development of this project, making Books House a reflection and embodiment of this ancient culture in stone and concrete.

Photos: Justin Alexander, Prue Roscoe, Edward Birch