Bounty House is a reimagining of an original, dated nineties project home. Once burdened by an overbearing brick facade and a pokey interior layout, the home has been transformed with only a minimum of intervention, thanks to a contemporary material palette featuring spotted gum hardwood timber and a sleek new steel roof. A lush planter box, stretching across the building's facade, softens the exterior and breaks up the expanse of brickwork, whilst also providing a filter to the windows of the upper level bedrooms.

The original layout, once cramped and poorly arranged, has been masterfully reconfigured. A modest one-metre extension at the back of the house unlocked the potential for open-plan living. The newfound spatial freedom allows for a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas, transforming the interiors.

Yet, the true triumph of Bounty House lies in its newfound relationship with its natural surroundings. Previously, the home barely even looked out to the beautiful bushland to the rear of the block and had poor access from the house to the yard. This disconnect has been mended with the introduction of an oversized stacking door and a thoughtfully designed outdoor room. The boundary between indoor and outdoor living is now blurred, allowing for a symbiotic relationship between the home and its environment. An open fireplace, bench seating, and a built-in barbecue—all constructed from the original bricks removed from the back wall of the original house—complete the outdoor room, offering a cosy retreat that truly brings the outside in.

Location:
Kirrawee, Sydney, Australia

Completed:
2018

Builder:
Belair Design + Build

Photography:
Andy Macpherson