New Castle: A Walled Garden Paradise in Merewether by Anthony St John Parsons.

Nestled in the foothills of southern Merewether, New Castle by Anthony St John Parsons of ASJP Architecture presents an intriguing paradox—a substantial family home that deliberately conceals its scale behind a mysterious limestone wall. This isn’t your typical suburban residence. The building dances between revelation and concealment, creating what the architect describes as an “invisible garden of paradise.”

The project immediately captures attention with its imposing limestone wall that begins at hip height and rises to nearly two storeys at the opposite corner. Parsons explains his intentional approach: “I wanted the project to appear otherworldly and intriguing. This was achieved by creating uncanny scales and proportions and using vaguely familiar materials in unexpected ways.”

The street-facing facade offers only enticing glimpses through carefully positioned openings—a cluster of Cabbage tree palms here, a mature Magnolia Grandiflora there. “Openings are either massive or minimal, never in between,” notes Parsons, adding to the building’s enigmatic presence. The strategy works as the design has sparked curiosity among passersby who stop to contemplate what lies beyond.

Fronte Oceano: Terrace Extension in Newcastle East by ASJP Architecture.

A deep love for the ocean and an existing home that has stood for almost two hundred years has drawn two of Australia’s beloved artists, Lottie Consalvo and James Drinkwater, to establish their roots in Newcastle East.

Inside the protective embrace of the limestone walls, the house unfolds as a series of connected rooms that snake around the site, forming hidden pockets of outdoor space. This linear arrangement, with rooms nearly single-width, creates multiple perspectives and interactions with the garden while inviting natural light and ventilation throughout the home.

The genius lies in how different levels cultivate unique relationships with the landscape, designed in collaboration with Pangkarra and Studio JEF. The ground floor, with its enveloping loggia and three-storey courtyards, engages with the garden’s wet and shaded qualities. The middle level centres around an open-air promenade and pool, focusing on dryness and canopy views. The top level, dedicated to the master bedroom, offers an intimate connection with the sky and the horizon.

The collaborative process between the client, architect, consultants, and builder makes this project particularly remarkable. Working with just one young architect and a graduate, Parsons issued no fewer than 600 drawings, with text conversations with the builder reaching over 1,000 pages. “Every joint, screw, formwork line, and material finish has been meticulously considered,” he reflects, built over a 2.5-year construction period.

The material palette reinforces the project’s otherworldly character. Non-native limestone pairs with raw concrete, including thin in-situ poured concrete columns positioned “at a height that doesn’t entirely make sense,” as Parsons notes with signature humour. These unexpected material applications contribute to the building’s uncanny quality.

New Castle is a love letter to the craft of building. The dedication shown by everyone involved—from the clients who embraced the vision, to Ledbury Constructions, who executed it with precision to create something extraordinary. Parsons describes it as “a once-in-a-career project, showcasing ambition, love, and tenacity in every detail.”

The project is a compelling example of how contemporary (Australian) architecture can create mystery and wonder without resorting to flashy gestures. Instead, it relies on thoughtful material choices, careful proportions, and an understanding that the most powerful architecture often reveals itself slowly, inviting discovery rather than demanding attention.

Blurred Edges: Aru House in Newcastle by Curious Practice.

Named after the Awabakal word for insect, Aru House places value on reuse and repair. This relatively modest home punches well above its budget and scale while contributing to the surrounding neighbourhood.

[Images courtesy of ASJP Architecture. Interior curation and furniture by Atelier Room on Fire. Photography by Benjamin Hosking.]