Bellevue Hill House

The brief for the project was a 5 bedroom, plus a study, 3 bathroom, laundry and large entertaining spaces for a growing family of 5.

The finishing of the home is monochrome to allow for furniture and art to bring life to the spaces. The owners wanted minimal maintenance for the home. The exterior cladding is shou sugi ban charred timber cladding. Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi is a traditional Japanese method of charring timber with fire. The process results in a black carbon layer on the timber boards which protects the material and reduces its maintenance requirements. Natural materials such as timber and stone were a feature throughout the home in places such as the bathrooms, kitchens and exterior paving. Natural materials are an important part of the project.

The site of the house is south facing which is not ideal for the indoor, outdoor connection which most clients want in a home. The connection between kitchen, living, dining and the backyard space is the great Australian dream for a home. Given that the northern light is coming from the front of the house, the middle of the existing house was extremely dark. When I arrived on site it was empirical to the design that I knew a central courtyard was required to draw in natural light to the center of the home. The courtyard provides natural light to rooms either side which ensures the home has sufficient natural light throughout the day.

The success of the project is the central courtyard which successful fills the south facing home with an abundance of natural light.

Architecture and Interiors: Carla Middleton Architecture
Builder: Robert Plumb Fix
Stylist: Atelier Lab
Soft Furnishings: Pip Casey