Waterfront glass box elevates shack design,
Marra Marra Creek in Berowra Waters lies just one hour north of Sydney’s CBD. However, it feels worlds apart from city life.
This area has long been a favorite retreat for many Australian celebrities. For instance, Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton previously owned a holiday home on Berowra Creek.
Swiss architect and homeowner Leopold Banchini was drawn to Marra Marra Creek due to its remoteness. He explains, “We chose this site because it was extremely wild,” in a video for The Local Project.
Furthermore, he adds that the site’s inaccessibility by land adds to its charm. “The fact that you can only reach it by boat makes it even more remote.”
On the creek’s steep banks, he constructed a remarkable glass home. Banchini affectionately refers to it as “a little holiday shack on the river.”
From a distance, the six-by-six meter glass box appears to float gracefully above the river. Notably, a small wooden jetty serves as its sole connection to the outside world.
Inside, every surface showcases timber salvaged from an old jetty. The main pillars consist of ironbark, while the walls and ceilings feature spotted gum and turpentine.
Additionally, the expansive picture window can be rolled open. This design transforms the main living area into an inviting outdoor terrace.
Banchini notes, “It’s a really special site here up the river.” Moreover, he emphasizes that it’s completely off-grid and only reachable by boat.
Consequently, everything had to be built by hand without the use of heavy machinery. Banchini managed the project remotely from Switzerland while two Australian carpenters carried out the main work.
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Buyers interested in the shack can also acquire the neighboring site. This purchase would expand the total land size to over 1,500 square meters.
Caelia Collins from Riverfront Real Estate manages this listing. However, due to the site’s isolated nature, all viewings must be arranged by appointment.
The listing describes the area as, “Cocooned within the Marramarra National Park, this is one of Hawkesbury’s best-kept secrets.”
Furthermore, it highlights the site’s appeal for outdoor activities. “The perfect paradise for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, boating, bushwalking, and birdwatching, it’s hard to believe it’s only approximately one hour from Sydney.”
