Ripple House
Residential Architecture for Zane Carter Architects
Ripple House is a sculptural masterpiece that transforms space into a living artwork while overcoming the challenge of limited natural light common in attached dwellings. A custom designed screen by the architect, Sam Alawie, casts shifting light patterns, mimicking the fluid dance of water droplets as sunlight moves throughout the day. A central double height void floods the home with natural light, creating openness and connection between levels. More than a residence, Ripple House is an immersive experience where architecture, light, and nature harmonize in ever evolving experience.
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Ripple House by Sam Alawie
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Residential Architecture by Sam Alawie
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Sam Alawie Ripple House
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Sam Alawie Residential Architecture
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Unique Properties
A sculptural piece of art in built form, this design transforms space into an ever evolving experience. The custom screen designed by the architect, casts dynamic light art, mimicking the fluid dance of water droplets as sunlight shifts throughout the day. Shadows ripple across surfaces, creating an interplay of movement and stillness. This fusion of architecture and light elevates the home beyond function, into an immersive, living artwork that responds to time, nature, and its inhabitants.
Tags
Residential House, Residential Design, Duplex Design, Home Design, Interior Design, Facade Screen, Screen, Ripple
Production Technology
This design is a symphony of light, movement, and material. The water droplet inspired pattern is delicately laser cut into aluminium, each sheet gently curved to ripple across the façade like a flowing stream. Bathed in an anodised allure, the metallic powder-coated finish catches the light, shimmering like sunlit water. Beneath its beauty lies resilience; the Electro coating, crafted with advanced super-durable polyester thermosetting powder, ensuring its tale endures sea salt spray.
Design Challenge
Designing Ripple House posed challenges in structure, materials, and execution. The open voids required precise engineering for stability, balancing openness with support. Built on sand, the home relied on screw piles for a solid foundation. The aluminum screen, laser-cut and assembled in segments, formed a flowing ripple effect while resisting sea spray corrosion. The floating marble island, curved and held by a wooden frame, demanded expert craftsmanship and structural reinforcement to achieve its sculptural lightness.
Project Duration
The project is located in Sydney Australia. The project commenced in and was completed in October 2024.
Operation Flow
Ripple House enhances human experiences by fostering interaction and connectedness. The design actively encourages a sense of community and engagement, creating spaces that invite people to gather, converse, and connect with one another. At the heart of the home, a central void seamlessly connects the two levels, acting as a visual connector that enhances openness and fluidity while encouraging interaction between the levels. The kitchen is designed as both a culinary and social hub. The expansive chef’s island functions as a workspace and dining area, inviting family and guests to gather around food, creating an interactive cooking experience that fosters togetherness.
Research
The design research blended site analysis, material testing, and engineering to balance aesthetics, function, and durability. It optimized light, airflow, stability, and material longevity in a coastal setting. Using digital modeling, prototypes, and simulations, data from soil tests, climate studies, and material evaluations informed decisions. Research ensured screw pile stability, aluminum corrosion resistance, and marble island support, setting new standards for resilient coastal design.
Inspiration
Ripple House whispers the poetry of water, embodying fluidity and connection, inspired by the graceful, ever changing dance of droplets. This lyrical concept ripples through every detail, most vividly in the custom-designed front screen, a masterpiece by the architect. Its pattern, an elegant ballet of converging and diverging droplets, stands as a sculptural ode to nature, casting ephemeral shadows that shift with the sun’s journey, painting the home in light’s delicate choreography.
Image Credits
Photographer archphoto Andreas Bommert Videographer archphoto Andreas Bommert
Project Overview
Ripple House Residential Architecture has been a Silver winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
Silver Recognition
Sam Alawie was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Ripple House Residential Architecture.
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