A Picasso painting inspired this cliff-top house near Sydney by architects Durbach Block Jaggers.

Above photo is by Brett Boardman

The curved forms of the kitchen and living room, which project over the sea supported by four angled stilts, are derived from the torso of Picasso's The Bather.

Above photo is by Anthony Browell

The two-storey Holman House was completed atop the 70 metre-high cliff at Dover Heights back in 2004.

Above photo is by Brett Boardman

Stone walls surround bedrooms on the ground floor, which nestle against the rock face.

Above photo is by Brett Boardman

Terraces surrounding the house at different levels provide two patios, a top floor garden and a lower level swimming pool.

This project is the third Australian house published on Dezeen in the last week, following one residence with an oversailing glass roof and another that incorporates cantilevering concrete slabs - see all our stories about projects in Australia here.

Photography is by Peter Bennetts, apart from where otherwise stated.

Here's some more information from the architects:

Holman House
Dover Heights, Sydney

Sited on the edge of a 70-metre high cliff, the plan of Holman House refers to Picasso’s painting The Bather.

It contains a complex series of fluid living spaces set within a meandering perimeter that arcs, folds and stretches in response to sun, landscape and views.

Above photo is by Reiner Blunck

Living and dining areas cantilever out over the ocean, allowing dramatic views up and down the coast.

Above photo is by Reiner Blunck

The lower floor forms a base that is built from rough stone walls like an extension of the cliff below.

These walls continue along the cliff edge to form a series of eccentric terraced gardens and a vase-shaped rock pool.

Above photo is by Brett Boardman

Architects: Durbach Block Architects

Above photo is by Brett Boardman

Project team: Neil Durbach, Camilla Block, David Jaggers, Lisa Le Van, Joseph Grech, Adrian Gessner

Completion: February 2004

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