Hill House by Right Angle Studio
Perched on the sloping terrain of Thomson Hills, Hill House by Right Angle Studio rethinks the semi-detached typology through a layered interior landscape shaped by topography, daylight, and daily movement.
Spanning 6,000 square feet, the home is organised as a series of staggered levels that make transitions feel gradual, defined by changing perspectives, shifting ceiling heights, and moments of openness that connect the family to the outdoors.
The planning reverses expectations by positioning the main living areas on higher ground, while the dining and kitchen zones sit lower on the site. This creates a lived-in progression through the home: arrival leads to grounded, functional spaces before opening up toward elevated areas designed for gathering and relaxation. Large window openings frame the living space, softening the divide between inside and outside while pulling in abundant natural light. With breezes able to pass through generously, the interior benefits from natural ventilation as part of a broader environmentally responsive approach.
A defining move in the reconfigured layout is the enlarged opening toward the airwell. This expanded void strengthens visual continuity between levels and intensifies the presence of light as an architectural material. Drawing inspiration from James Turrell’s explorations of perception, illumination here is treated as atmosphere, subtle, shifting, and felt across the day as it washes over surfaces and edges, bringing depth to even the quietest corners.
Anchoring these levels is a custom-built staircase that acts as the home’s central organising feature. More than circulation, it structures how the household moves, pauses, and reconnects, linking floors with a sculptural clarity that keeps the interior legible while encouraging discovery from one landing to the next.
Material choices keep the palette restrained and tactile. Oak brings warmth and softness, while grey slate adds weight and calm, grounding the spaces without heaviness. Olive green furnishings by Carl Hansen & Søn introduce a natural counterpoint, lending colour that feels rooted and composed. Across the home, architecture, light, and materiality work in concert to create an interior that feels anchored to its hillside setting, considered in its flow, rich in nuance, and quietly timeless.
