Timber Bungalow Gets A Modern Extension And An Open Floor Plan
The East Brunswick House is a calm and peaceful family home located in Melbourne. Its design is reminiscent of the iconic Eames’ Case Study House, although there are many differences, both in terms of views, location and structure.
The house is a timber bungalow which got a magnificent makeover. It now features huge glass walls and a very open ground floor which communicates with the sunny deck. Although, at first, the plan was to demolish part of the building and to rebuild it, most of the bungalow was preserved and only a few elements were replaced.
An addition was built at the rear of the house. It has a steel frame and a simple protective shell. The box-like extension is broken down into a series of volumes. The interior is a vast and open space but the functions are very well delimited.
Big and compact furniture units serve as barriers between the volumes. The whole space has a chic industrial look given by the choice of materials, some of the finishes and a few of the décor details.
The steal beams visible on the ceiling are an unexpected sight. To tone down their rough look, vibrant focal points were created and they balance out the décor. The striped carpet and bench are a lovely example. And those black vertical pieces of furniture are bookshelves and they can become a compact wall with very little effort.
The house is south oriented but the interior is always bright and flooded with natural light which comes through the double-glazed panels and reaches all the nooks and crannies. And where natural light is not enough, color and artificial lighting take over.
There’s a great emphasis on the transparency of the design and elements like this webbed staircase wall support this idea. It’s a very casual look, perfect for a cozy family home
The open plan kitchen shares the same simple and elegant look as the rest of the house. Black and white are the colors of choice. Light gets though and invades the space even though it has no direct contact with the outdoors.
A sense of openness defines the entire house. The mirror adds depth to the bathroom while the white panels are cleverly designed not to go all the way down to the floor, maintaining a very nice balance.