Completed in 2012, the Kharkov project on Beresford Road, Bellevue Hill, involved the substantial transformation of a Federation-era residence originally built in 1911. Set high above Rose Bay with sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, the project reimagines the property’s relationship to its site — enhancing access, amenity, and landscape connection while preserving the home’s historic character and remarkable outlook.

Collins and Turner’s commission encompassed the design of all external works, developed in close collaboration with Donald Campbell, who led the interior restoration of the historic residence, and Aspect Studios, who designed the landscape. This collaborative process ensured that the architectural, interior, and landscape components were fully integrated, resulting in a seamless dialogue between the restored heritage fabric and the contemporary interventions.

The external works introduce a carefully considered sequence of architectural and landscape elements that balance modern expression with sensitivity to the site’s geological and historical context. Key features include the excavation and reconstruction of an existing sandstone rock wall to accommodate a new glazed passenger lift, providing effortless vertical circulation between the property’s multiple garden terraces. The garage was entirely rebuilt, with a new entry tunnel discreetly cut into the rock face, improving access and functionality while maintaining the integrity of the natural sandstone escarpment.

A new 18-metre suspended lap pool forms the centrepiece of the external composition, cantilevered to capture uninterrupted harbour views and paired with an excavated cabana and pool deck below. Surrounding this, a series of new landscaped terraces extend the outdoor living areas, incorporating a generous lawn, a productive vegetable garden, and a green roof complete with a custom-designed chook shed — a playful yet sustainable element that reflects the owners’ lifestyle and commitment to self-sufficiency.

Throughout, the design prioritises clarity of structure, precision of detail, and minimal visual impact. The bespoke passenger lift, sourced from a European manufacturer, is enclosed within a frameless glass shaft engineered to preserve the site’s expansive 270-degree panorama. Detailing across all elements — from pool edges to garden walls — emphasises lightness and refinement within a setting defined by the tactile presence of sandstone and lush vegetation.

The completed works deliver a transformative increase in amenity, more than doubling the property’s usable external space. A multi-layered sequence of terraces, pathways, and garden rooms now links the residence, garden, and harbour views into a cohesive whole. The result is a richly choreographed landscape that mediates between architecture and topography, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of Sydney’s tradition of harbour-focused living — one that celebrates heritage, material craft, and collaboration across disciplines.