Fondue House
Marrickville/Gadigal Country
alterations and additions
approved via development application
completed 2021
When Jess and I (Martin) bought a narrow semi in Marrickville, we knew we had our work cut out for us. The house was dark, pokey and totally disconnected from the outdoors. It only had two bedrooms, and with plans to grow our family, we needed more space, more light and a much stronger connection to the garden.
We wanted it to feel relaxed, a bit quirky, and definitely not precious. Something that would evolve with us over time.
We weren’t aiming for grand — we were aiming for clever, light-filled and full of personality.
A roof garden off the main bedroom pulls greenery into the upper floor, while the forgotten side passage becomes a pocket garden that draws in light and brings a calming outlook to the kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Expansive sliding doors turn the backyard into another room, while internal windows and voids create playful connections between spaces.
We had fun with colour and texture too. Recycled bricks (some painted, some not), off-form concrete, cork flooring and timber details give the house a layered, tactile feel. The interiors were a shared effort — Jess and I both love colour and weren’t afraid to take a few risks. The mustard kitchen, green and blue bathrooms, vintage tiles and moody entry all add a bit of 70s character.
Sustainability was factored in from the start: 8kW solar, a heat pump, no gas, and plenty of recycled and repurposed materials throughout.
“The most striking part of this build is how much you feel like you’re part of nature, yet you’re actually in a bustling inner city area.”
– Tim Ross on Master Build Australia
The house now feels far bigger than it is. Natural light finds its way into every corner, and spaces connect in unexpected ways — there’s a central void above the kitchen, peek-through windows inside, and long sightlines that carry your eye out to the garden beyond. It’s a compact home, but it lives large in all the right ways. It’s exactly what we hoped for.
Builder Prestige Habitats
Photographer Tom Ferguson
Key Materials Recycled bricks (painted and unpainted), off-form concrete floor and ceiling, cedar window frames, timber cladding, mustard kitchen, recycled tiles (splashbacks), cork floors, brass tapware, custom steel balustrades
Media See Fondue House featured here