What happens when you take a small, steep, and seemingly unappealing block of land and challenge the traditional boundaries of home design? You get Goodrich Street – a residence in Scarborough that completely reimagines what it means to live seamlessly between the escarpment and the ocean.
Brought to life through a close-knit collaboration between home owners Ellie and Guy Hampton, founder Tom Gray of Tom Gray Architect, and James Pressley from BuildUp Constructions, this edition of The Edit by McNeice X explores a home built on purpose, spatial cleverness, and deliberate restraint.
Designing Around Daily Rituals
From the very beginning, the brief for Goodrich was shaped not by grand square meterage, but by the rhythm of daily life. The layout was designed specifically around the family’s core routines – making the morning coffee, cooking together, and gathering as a family without feeling isolated.
‘If you can get those daily rituals right, then the rest kind of falls into line,’ Tom explains.
Because the steep slope, established vegetation and neighbouring structures influenced access to sunlight, the team undertook extensive testing to track the morning light. By introducing strategic skylights and carefully framing tree-canopy views, the home harvests light from above, creating an atmosphere that feels quiet, peaceful, and deeply comforting.
Defying the Steep Block
Building on a steep site presented significant engineering constraints, requiring the main residence to sit high above the street without extensive excavation into the hillside. Rather than trying to fight the site’s physics, Tom turned a structural challenge into the home’s defining feature.
The entry experience begins with an enclosed, industrial-style staircase inspired by railway stops and fire escapes. This deliberate sense of architectural compression creates a moment of suspense before you step out onto the primary living level.
‘To elevate an experience, you almost deprive someone of the experience for a second and then give it back again,’ says Tom. The moment you reach the upper terrace, the entire coastline, escarpment, and ocean view pop out all at once.
A Gift to the Neighbourhood
While many modern builds choose to shut themselves off from the street with intimidating boundary walls, Goodrich takes the opposite approach.
By raising the living quarters, the design freed up a massive covered area beneath the home. The team transformed this underutilised space into a shared community amenity – complete with a built-in concrete skate ramp, basketball ring, and integrated seating. Neighbourhood kids are welcome to play, giving back to the streetscape while keeping the private residential spaces quietly perched above.
Connected Living & Craftsmanship
The main living domain is a celebration of open-plan warmth, clean mid-century lines, and generous natural light. Designed as the central hub, the kitchen and dining zones flow effortlessly onto the main terrace, allowing for quiet family mornings or large-scale entertaining.
Adding a deeply personal touch to the home’s aesthetic, Guy’s sister, Sally Hampton of Hampton Contracting, executed the exquisite micro cement detailing as well as the bespoke joinery featured in the home office and Henry’s bedroom. This family collaboration brings an extra layer of warmth, craftsmanship, and precision to these private nooks – complemented by rich natural finishes and ambient lighting throughout.
Retreats for Sleep & Productivity
Moving beyond the communal spaces, the bedrooms and home office offer quiet, grounded retreats designed to adapt seamlessly with everyday family life. The master suite and additional rooms feature carefully placed horizontal windows that frame lush treetop backdrops while preserving complete privacy.
Dedicated workspaces – including a sleek home office and a purpose-built study nook for their son, Henry, are tucked away to maintain focus without disconnecting from the rest of the home. Integrated storage solutions keep the footprint uncluttered, proving that true quality lies in how a space works rather than how large it is.
Goodrich Street stands as a triumph in coastal infill architecture – a home elevated above the ground that remains deeply connected to family, lifestyle, and community spirit.
Whether you’re seeking a uniquely crafted coastal home or looking to pass the keys of your own architectural masterpiece to its next custodian, the team at McNeice is here to guide your story.
Video and Imagery: Ryan Morgan and Adam Wallis
Architecture: Tom Gray Architect
Builder: BuildUp Constructions
Blog written by: Sheree Clark