filigree-like timber screens envelop 'north bondi house' in australia

‘NORTH bondi house’ by anthony gill architects

Two years ago, Anthony Gill Architects took on the renovation of a semi-detached brick house in Australia’s North Bondi suburb. Approaching the intervention as both the client and designer, Gill wanted to create a snug, modern, and efficient living space with ample room for a growing garden and a strong connection to the residential street. The result is an extended interior space with unusual, new additions and an eye-catching exterior design boasting a filigree-like timber shell. Together, these features challenge the traditional approaches to residential privacy and planning.

all images © Clinton Weaver, courtesy of Anthony Gill Architects

a snug and efficient modern living space

Winner of the Hugh and Eva Buhrich Award for Residential Architecture – Houses, the ‘North Bondi House’ by Anthony Gill (see more here) received generous praises from the jury for the modest yet impactful reworking by the architect: ‘The approach to the corner site of North Bondi House feels like stumbling upon a rare gem amongst suburban homogeneity. Immediately apparent is the filigree-like nature of the battened facade, all but disguising internal family life. During the day a large shape open to the sky is visible beyond the screen, and at night the house glows like a beacon. There is a sense of generosity to the street: the building is distinguishable but not overbearing, and large openings encourage a sense of community through casual interaction with passers-by.’

filigree-like facade challenging the ideas of privacy and planning

‘Gardens, though still in their early stages of growth, will likely take over various pockets of the site, and are accessible from each room of the house. The plan diagram is both logical and unusual; bedrooms and communal areas occupy the existing house footprint at the lower level, and the extended upper floor contains additional living space, and an open-air bathroom and laundry. Restrained yet inventive detailing further confirms that this project is likely to become a memorable point of reference amongst Australian architects, and a slow-burn kind of love for locals,’ continued the jury.

The new layout of ‘North Bondi House’ sees the expansion of the interiors but an overall reduction of the building footprint to accommodate the garden design by Sue Barnsley. The ground floor features the main living space with an eclectic mix of colors, forms, and furniture pieces. Upstairs, an open-air bathroom and mini living room merge into one open plan. Lighting, ventilation, and vistas are generously provided through skylights, small voids, and external sliding screens. Material-wise, Gill preserved hints of the original brickwork across the façade and within the garden — offering a gentle mix of modern and traditional qualities to the renovated dwelling.

ground floor living space