Onyx
In a heritage conservation area in Sydney’s North Shore, an interwar bungalow is updated for contemporary living. The original house sits well within the streetscape, with the exception of a rudimentary later addition to the upper level. The addition’s form was retained, with a new modern skin added to its exterior, creating a more interesting dialogue with the bungalow. The upper level has been cut into to create a series of window bands, which are broken down with randomly arranged vertical screen elements and thin hoods above to provide sun protection.
Modifications to the ground level allow reconfigured living spaces to open out to the existing rear deck and pool. A new curved roof over the deck breaks down the scale of the two storey rear façade and wraps around to provide shelter at the new entry point, which itself offers a glimpse of the character of the modern rear additions when viewed from the street.
A significant move was the relocation of the stairs to the upper level. These have been positioned to allow light to flood into the ground level via a generous void, with large skylights in the roof above, and the additional benefit of a visual link and airflow between the ground and upper levels.
Builder AMME Construction
Photographer Tom Ferguson