Bondi House – Fearns Studio – Australia

Architects: Fearns Studio
Location: Sydney, Australia
Project Team: Matt Fearns
Area: 260 m²
Year: 2012
Photographs: Tom Ferguson
Builder: Promena Projects
Structural Engineer: Andrew Derbidge – Partridge Partners
Hydraulic Engineer: Michael Frost and Associates

A renovation of an inner city, Victorian terrace house, the Bondi House was conceived as a first floor timber tube above a ground level brick box behind the retained portion of the house.

Skylight penetrations bring light into the centre of the plan, help define spaces within it and protect the privacy of neighbouring dwellings from upper level rooms while large glazed doors open new ground level interiors to unobtrusive garden courtyards. Deep door reveals in the kitchen and living areas frame smaller spaces within the open plan with light and rhythm.

The doors themselves emphasise this further by sliding completely clear of their openings. Warmth is given to the white plaster walls and ceilings and to concrete flooring with oak cabinetry, windows, doors and with blackbutt flooring through the remainder of the house.