honour the legacy of a 1930s heritage-listed bungalow in and its surrounding landscape.
Nestled among mature paperbark trees, the home called for a transformation that mirrored its natural surroundings while providing space and amenities for a growing family. Central to the brief was the incorporation of the existing boundary wall into the new design and the introduction of a contemporary pavilion at the rear of the bungalow.
The new extension is lined with polished concrete floors and light timber ceilings. The kitchen features a travertine island bench, timber veneer joinery and blackened stainless-steel benchtops. Pictured in the space is the .
Madeleine Blanchfield emphasised the need for a delicate approach when expanding a well-preserved heritage home. Addressing the challenge of adding a two-storey extension without dominating the original single-storey house, the architect ultimately chose to treat the addition as a subtle compliment, likening it to a ‘shadow’ of the existing structure.
The bungalow’s defining feature is a black volcanic stone wall delineating the site boundary. “Our approach was to extend this boundary wall in a contemporary manner while upholding a reverence for the site’s history and context,” Madeleine says. “The wall becomes a external and internal reference point, informing the materials selected for the addition,” she adds.
The living area features a upholstered in olive-green leather, harmonising with the surrounding paperbarks.
Establishing a clear transition between the old and the new, Madeleine Blanchfield Architects integrated a glazed link between the rear extension and original house, which contains the dining area.
The dining area features custom built-in banquette seating upholstered in olive-green leather, and the .
The two-storey extension is clad in , which establishes a cohesive front of dark, nature-inspired materials paired with the boundary wall. Resembling “a series of black boxes, a shadow to the original building”, as Madeleine says, the structure contrasts with the lush greenery of the surrounding paperbarks. For an added effect, the architect has employed vertical timber slats for the roof of the back terrace and the upper-level facade, creating what the owners call “an orchestra of light and shadow throughout the day”.
Working closely with the client, an interior designer, Madeleine Blanchfield Architects infused the interiors with materials and colours that evoked a relaxed atmosphere, authentically embodying Bondi living. Australian hardwoods, warm travertines and earth-toned leathers amalgamate against the backdrop of the stone wall, forming living spaces in deep conversation with the outdoors. Contemporary furniture pieces, such as a sculptural sofa and built-in banquette seating upholstered in olive-green leather, ensure the new extension feels curated and reflects a modern Australian blueprint.
The study features the and Mira 1 pendant.
Madeleine Blanchfield Architects kept and restored the period decorative cornicing throughout the original house. The bedrooms, study and hallways are lined in .
In the bathrooms, Bianco Alpi stone vanities are accented by gold tapware and hardware.
The new extension is marked by floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, allowing the space to be opened up completely to the outdoors.
The two-storey extension is clad in charred timber boards, which establishes a cohesive front of dark, nature-inspired materials paired with the boundary wall. Pictured on the back terrace is the .
The black structure contrasts with the lush greenery of the surrounding paperbarks.
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