Sydney and the Southern Highlands: Art, Architecture & Design 2026

Day 1: Wednesday 6 May, Sydney: Redfern, Paddington, Alexandria, Milsons Point

• Short Welcome Meeting at 9.00am
• Riley’s Terrace by Adele McNab, Redfern
• Glemore Road Residence by Pohio Adams Architects, Paddington
• Smart Design Studio & Home, by William Smart, Alexandria
• Seidler Penthouse, Milsons Point with architect, John Zhao
• Welcome Dinner at Café Sydney

Please meet in the foyer of the Paramount House Hotel at 9am.

Following a short welcome meeting, we transfer to Redfern to view Riley’s Terrace by Adele McNab Architecture which was the recipient of the NSW AIA Award for Residential Architecture (Alterations & Additions) in 2021.

Next, we visit Glenmore Road Residence which was designed for an artist. Conceived by the talented husband and wife duo Bianca Pohio and Christopher Adams, this Victorian terrace has been thoughtfully reworked into a light-filled contemporary abode – with glass and steel-framed windows allowing for continuous and fluid spaces.

William Smart is the Founder and Creative Director of Smart Design Studio. His buildings have received critical acclaim, many prestigious awards and have been widely published in architectural and other publications. His approach to design is holistic, combining both architectural and interior design with a passionate attention to detail. Since 1997 William has been directly involved in each project and is continuously exploring ideas in his work relating to flexibility, contemporary living and the merging of art and architecture. In the late afternoon we tour his home and the Smart Design Studio.

We end the day with a visit to Milsons Point where we meet with architect, John Zhao from Seidler & Associates, for a private tour of the stunning penthouse apartment. A description of the penthouse is given by Sydney Living Museums: “Entry to the penthouse is into a space two storeys high, with a presentation theatre and facilities for entertaining. A half-elliptical Indian granite dining table allows guests to sit at the curved side of the table so that they can see the splendid water view; the hosts sit on the opposite side, facing their guests. A curved stair leads to the upper floor lounge, study and master bedroom suite. Within the straight outline plan, flowing curves enrich the open interior. Only the artworks (by Albers, Stella, Lichtenstein, Mais, Perry and Noland) are colourful in contrast to the neutral grey, white and black interior.” Please note: Photography, both inside & outside, of the Seidler Penthouse is strictly prohibited!

This evening we enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.  (Overnight Sydney) D

Day 2: Thursday 7 May, Sydney: Bellevue Hill, Elizabeth Bay, Birchgrove & Balmain

• Caerleon incl. Stealth Pavilion by Plus Minus Design, Bellevue Hill (subject to reconfirmation 2026)
• Amara by Smart Design Studio
• Birchgrove House, by Brian Zulaikha of  Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, Birchgrove
• Wurrungwuri by Carter Williamson Architects, hosted by Shaun Carter, Principal, Birchgrove
• Zulaikha Laurence House, by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, Balmain East

This morning we meet with Phillip Arnold, founding director of Plus Minus Design, for a tour of Caerleon, an early example of local domestic architecture in the Queen Anne Revival style. It was built between 1885-87 for the Sydney Morning Herald proprietor Charles Burton Fairfax, a grandson of the newspaper’s founder John Fairfax. The original plans of the house were drawn up by Sydney architect Harry Kent, but were extensively reworked by Maurice Bingham Adams (1849-1933). Caerleon boasts red brick walls with stone dressing, terracotta shingles, balconies, bay windows, verandahs, lead light windows and elaborate chimneys. The interior includes elaborate chimney pieces, door cases, wainscots, friezes and ceilings, leaded lights and stained glass. Many of the fittings and materials were imported from England.

Within the heritage-listed gardens lies the well disguised Stealth Pavilion, designed by Plus Minus Design who were previously engaged for restoration works on the house proper and the relocation of the gates within the grounds. This private gym features external cladding of bronze mirrors which allow the structure to reflect the surrounding foliage, and cleverly sits within the existing grove of trees. A video of the pavilion may be viewed at The Local Project.

Following some time at leisure for lunch in Balmain we transfer to Birchgrove to meet with a representative from Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, for a visit to the Birchgrove House which received the AIA NSW Architecture award for Residential Architecture (Houses Alteration and Additions) in 2021. Drawn to the house’s rich materiality and connection to the natural environment, the couple asked Brian if he would design their own home; a run-down, Victorian era, harbour front in neighbouring Birchgrove. Despite the house’s dilapidated and slightly ramshackle appearance, its character shone through to the clients and a brief was developed to retain as much of the original fabric as possible. This respectful embrace of the existing building’s quirks defined the project’s conceptual framework and construction methodology. The house itself is a rich, textural composition of charred timber, concrete, brick, copper and spotted gum timber panelling and cannot be understood without reference to its garden. Tiered landscaping on every level enables cascading Australian native vegetation to drape over intricately detailed balustrading; working with the vision of minimising “house” and maximising “landscape”.

Cater Williamson Architects is an award-winning practice that’s recognised for its bespoke homes, whether new houses or alterations and additions to period buildings. We shall visit a recently completed house designed by principal, Shaun Cater. Located in the coveted suburb of Birchgrove, this new house demonstrates the artistry and skills of this practice. Known as “Wurrungwurri”, this late Victorian sandstone house has been imaginatively extended by Carter Williamson Architects. In contrast to the home’s original ornate gabled facade and bay window, the home conceals a dramatic contemporary addition that beautifully responds to the fall of the site. A video of this project may be viewed at The Local Project.

We end the day with a visit to the Zulaikha Laurence House by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (TZG). Completed in 2006, the house was a recipient of both the 2007 RAIA National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses and 2007 RAIA NSW Residential Alterations and Additions Award. Former home of award-winning architect, Brian Zulaikha and his partner, the eminent artist, Janet Laurence, this house overlooking Blackwattle Bay in East Balmain started its life as a gunpowder store (circa 1918). The bunker-like kitchen, which forms part of the gunpowder store, was extended by Zulaikha into an architectural gem that’s received numerous accolades. (Overnight Sydney) B

Day 3: Friday 8 May, Sydney: Castlecrag, Bellevue Hill, Darlinghurst, Paddington

• Duncan House by Walter Burley Griffin with addition by Weir Phillips Architects, Castlecrag
• Bellevue Hill by Pohio Adams Architects
• Light lunch at Two Good Co. Cafe
• Horizon Apartment, by Stephen Collier, Stephen Collier Architects, Darlinghurst
• Little Napier House by Simon Robert Hanson, SRH Bureau, Paddington

We begin this morning with a visit to Duncan House in Castlecrag, a fine example of the work of Walter Burley Griffin. It is one of the original houses in the Castlecrag area, which were all built in the 1920s-1930s. The house is a diminutive yet perfectly proportioned example of Griffin’s work, using his patented knitlock concrete, ribbed and gracefully crenelated, yet grounded in the earth through the use of heavy rusticated protruding stone corner piers. The dwelling is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. Weir Phillips Architects were commissioned to redesign a sensitive addition to the diminutive dwelling, replacing an earlier 1980s extension. This project was featured on Season 5 Episode 1 of Restoration Australia.

Next, we visit another home designed by Pohio Adams in Bellevue Hill. This is an early 20th century house that has been beautifully reimagined as a family home – retaining the past but creating a modernist aesthetic.

Following a light lunch at the Two Good Co. Cafe at Yirranma Place we view the Horizon Apartment by Stephen Collier. Harry Seidler’s Horizon is a landmark building, not just in Darlinghurst, but in the broader environs. Constructed in the late 1990s in the ‘round’, the apartments fan out to the views. Angular interior walls create unexpected spaces. Award-winning architect Stephen Collier has worked with the ‘spatial jigsaw’ of the 70-square-metre floor plan within this apartment to create flexible spaces.

Finally, we transfer to Paddington where we meet with Simon Robert Hanson, principal architect of Bureau SRH, to view his Little Napier House which received the RAIA NSW Chapter Architecture Award for a Small Project in 2012. Here two heritage-listed terraces houses were combined to create a larger home for a growing family, and the footprint of the two houses was reduced in order to include a pool in the backyard. (Overnight Sydney) BL

Day 4: Saturday 9 May, Sydney – Gordons Bay – Thirroul – Kiama – Bundanon

• GB House, with Renato D’Ettorre from Renato D’Ettorre Architects, Gordons Bay
• Trent Jansen Studio, Thirroul
• K House, with Renato D’Ettorre from Renato D’Ettorre Architects, Kiama
• Barbecue dinner at The Bridge, Bundanon

This morning we transfer to the coastal suburb of Coogee where there will be time at leisure to enjoy lunch at one of the alfresco cafes.

A short walk takes us around to Gordon’s Bay where we meet with Renato D’Ettorre, from Renato D’Ettorre Architects, for a tour of the ‘GB House’. In 2019 this project was the recipient of the coveted “Wilkinson Award”, the most significant residential architecture prize awarded in the state of NSW. “Above the clear blue sea, this house embodies the spirit of seaside living in response to a magical site – endless ocean, rocky headland and the ideal north-east aspect.  The design is discreet in scale, has a quiet focus and layered materiality, and is sensitive to both site and neighbours providing mystery and privacy along one of Sydney’s busiest coastlines.”  This spectacular house was featured on Open Homes Australia.

After a short coffee break in Coogee we journey south to the seaside suburb of Thirroul to visit the private studio of Trent Jansen. Trent is a multi award-winning designer and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design. In March 2023 he was featured in habitusliving after having been appointed to the 2022 Venice Design Biennale Residency. He designs limited edition one-off pieces for the Molonglo Group, and exhibits internationally with Gallery All and Galleria Rossana Orlandi. He also designs products and furniture for Moooi, DesignByThem and Tait. Trent has also exhibited at numerous national and international galleries and design events including the National Gallery of Victoria, London Design Museum, Design Miami, Art+Design in New York City, Art Gallery of South Australia, the Triennale Di Milano and The Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art in Beijing.

Following some time at leisure for lunch in Thirroul we continue south along the coast to Kiama. The K House in Kiama by Renato D’Ettorre Architects is as dramatic as the view over the Pacific Ocean that’s captured from the home’s large picture windows. Taking on a modern interpretation of the coastal aesthetic, the K house features a crisp white interior and an honest expression of materials – concrete and painted brick, powder-coated aluminium mesh and timber joinery. There’s a sense of lightness to this house. And while the interiors are pared back, the ‘devil is in the detail’ – with angular walls, deep crevices for sun protection and a fluid arrangement of spaces. The design beautifully captures the owners’ European heritage while create a fine contemporary home. The house is featured in the Habitus House of the Year series.

From Kiama we journey inland to Bundanon’s new accommodation complex, The Bridge, which offers simple, eco-friendly accommodation surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. (Overnight Bundanon) BD

Day 5: Sunday 10 May, Bundanon – Kangaroo Valley – Bundanon

• Palmyra II, Kangaroo Valley, by TURNER, Kangaroo Valley
• Bundanon: Riversdale Art Museum by Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA): Architecture tour
• Farewell dinner at Bundanon

Following a leisurely breakfast we visit Palmyra II, the home of Nick Turner, Principal and Founder of Turner+Associates Architects. Originally designed over 15 years ago, Nick expanded the property by adding a stunning new ‘wing’ which ensures that the surrounding landscape is the undeniable star. During our visit we hear the incredible story of how in November 2020 when the area was engulfed by fire, the house was saved thanks to its carefully designed ‘halo’ watering system which covered the home with an umbrella of water, powered entirely by the robust off-grid power system.

We return to Bundanon for a light lunch and then take an architecture tour of the new arts complex which was the recipient of the Sulman Medal for public architecture in 2022. Designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects, the complex includes a light-filled contemporary art gallery – partially buried into the landscape. This new art museum was designed to house the Trust’s Arthur Boyd art collection which includes an extensive collection of artworks by Arthur Boyd and his family, Sidney Nolan, Brett Whiteley, Joy Hester and Charles Blackman.

Following some time at leisure to enjoy the stunning natural landscapes that surround our accommodation we conclude the day with a farewell dinner at Bundanon. (Overnight Bundanon) BLD

Day 6: Monday 11 May, Bundanon – Bowral – Sydney Airport

• Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG)
• Retford Park: private guided tour of the mansion, and renowned Pool Pavilion by Guilford Bell
• Light lunch at the Raw Wild Market & Café
• Time at leisure, optional visit to Dirty Janes Antique Market, Bowral
• Transfer to Sydney Airport

We begin this morning with an architectural tour of the Ngunungulla Southern Highlands Regional Gallery designed by TZG in 2021. Our tour will be led by Brian Zulaikha, former director of TZG, and Director in Charge of this multi award-winning project. Ngununggula, meaning “belonging” in the traditional language of the Gundungurra First Nations people, is the first regional art gallery in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. “Making ‘Ngunuggula’ a reality involved the adaptive reuse of two buildings within Retford Park, a grand Dairy Building and an associated ‘Vet Clinic’, both of which were under utilised and rapidly deteriorating. These buildings, as well as a third contemporary pavilion, were reimagined as a state-of-the-art Regional Gallery for the Southern Highlands.” TZG

Next we enjoy a private guided tour of Retford Park, gifted to the National Trust by James Fairfax. We tour the Victorian-Italianate mansion and visit the interior of the renowned Fairfax Pool Pavilion designed by architect Guilford Bell in 1968.

Following a light lunch at the Raw Wild Market & Café there will be some time at leisure. You may wish to visit Dirty Janes, a permanent antique market in Bowral that offers the best in vintage.

Mid-afternoon we travel to the Sydney Airport where our tour will officially conclude at approximately 5.00pm. BL