With its style, design, and sophistication, this modern home in Sydney is the best representation of its residents. Jeremy Ball, director and founder of Alexander & CO. and Tess Glasson, who runs the studio’s marketing department, spotted the potential at this Victorian property—located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, a five-minute drive from famous Bondi Beach—for their families, which included their four sons and the Japanese Spitz.
The couple, who were at the time of buying the home a decade ago and had two six-month-old twin babies, lived in the house for 18 months without changing anything. This period allowed them to think about the transformations they wanted before starting the first major change and addition.
This would be followed by a second renovation (which involved the construction of a loft space built from plywood with confined mast lights) and a third (consisting of an extension to the kitchen area to include a new sink, sunken lounge and carpentry dining area, as well as an outdoor mezzanine storage to house several surfboards and surfboards and bikes for the bigger family now), which will all take place over the course of seven years.
“Our vision of space was a story unfolding,” Paul says. “Every change and addition represents the introduction of each new child and the needs of our growing family,” Glasson adds.
the outside
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
For Bull, designing home extension and modernity ideas for himself and his loved ones was much easier than doing it for the client. “The great thing about creating your own home is the fact that it can really be a mixture of experiences and ideas,” he says.
The house is made up of eight different levels, albeit simple in some places. They grew out of the limitations that exist so we grow to love them. The circulation space is kept to a minimum and when walkways are required, it plays a dual role in also serving as a stage space. We put the rooms and uses in every corner; Nothing is lost.
sunken living space
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
“The sunken lounge has a beautiful connection to the modern garden outside, and the idea behind this was that there is no boundary between the two,” he explains.
From a couple’s perspective, two other essential traits define their home: spatial competence and exploration of the “unfinished.” Maximizing every square meter, minimizing construction costs and studying physical expression is reflected in the home that Glasson describes as ‘a carefully curated space but also a whimsical origami box we built around our family and children’.
For Bull, the entire process of designing and making this house evolve over time was also the perfect opportunity to share with his children the role of modern architecture in his daily life.
kitchen
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
“We wanted this to be a really practical space, but also have a really amazing scope and drama,” he adds. “We discussed an island bench but in the end we left the space free and it could have a marble dining table or be completely empty and used daily as a handball court!”
Influenced by the work of Alvar Aalto and Louis Kahn, the project refers to a modernist philosophy with a prioritization of what is locally available, and has a Scandinavian-inspired sensibility. Low-cost pine structures and exposed pine chipboard make up the majority of interior finishes, while Carrara tiles adorn the bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes, and floor surfaces.
Living room
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
A sophisticated and muted color palette helps accentuate the furniture and artwork, including Henrik Godske’s “Matriarch” (which adds a dose of femininity in a house of five men) in the small living room and Isabel de Klein’s “In-xcess” (in its green-hued shades). A Glason’s favorite – and soft pink) in the kitchen.
The multi-level space should accommodate the needs of each of our two sons and also allow space for Tess and me and any adult guests and conversation. This simple level change is an effective tool for differentiating jobs, even though it’s only two steps! ”
The children’s room
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
‘There was a big old eucalypt tree in our backyard when we bought the property and the view of that tree was key to planning the curtains in the children’s room. Classic interior shutters inspired by Louis Barragán. It allows privacy and also flexibility in terms of how much light and ventilation you want. Do you have a small room that you can access at home? Here’s how to design a children’s room.
main bathroom
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
Here’s a chic marble bathroom idea that looks effortlessly chic. We wanted it to be beautiful, simple and very practical. It’s a combination of Carrara marble and shark round tile with a playful textured edge.
master bedroom
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
Tess always wanted our bedroom to feel like a hotel room; Luxurious bedroom. Full linen curtains and dark wall color make it more night and warm.
“It’s a home full of light and life,” says Glason. “Even though there are four kids running around, I feel very comfortable, relaxed and at peace here.” Swinging between a football field and a haven – and everything in between – this quaint home is infused with the spirit of its occupants and the vision of the creative mind behind it. “Despite its patina simplicity, the house is truly remarkable in its hidden intricacies,” says Paul. “It is constantly unfolding of events, opportunities, opinions, and experiences.”
See more: An Edwardian house skipped the classic lateral return extension of a curved glass wall instead