THE DRAMATIC LINE OF THE STAIRCASE IS A FUNDAMENTAL VISUAL FEATURE OF THE LIVING SPACE the kitchen is tucked beneath the staircase, Tetris-like THE BROAD, INVITING REVEAL DOUBLES AS A WINDOW-SEAT provides efficient, gentle heat in the cooler months, without compromising on internal air quality. A wide, sun-drenched corridor that borders a north-facing courtyard physically links the old and new sections of this home. Here we see the extensive use of recycled ironbark timber, its age and warmth sensitively bridging the divide between old and new – on the staircase that sweeps up to the second storey, and on the reveals of an oversize window that spans one entire wall of the corridor space. This broad, inviting reveal doubles as a window- Bronte House seat; it’s the perfect transition point between old at a glance and new; outdoors and in. Photos: Brett Boardman Photography Working with this recycled timber, which was sourced from Australian Architectural hardwoods in Kempsey, was a challenge in itself, Aaron says. A custom-made concrete island is the room’s Cost: $1.5 million ‘It’s a really solid timber; it would have been showpiece: its austere splendour and gracefully Time: 18 months pulled out of an old factory or building. It’s curved form the perfect counterpoint to the warm Completed: Mid-2016 incredibly hard and pretty much impossible for timber surfaces. The bench, constructed by Floor size: 240 square metres us to cut onsite.’ Aaron painstakingly took the specialist contractors Concreative, poured in situ, Materials: Recycled ironbark; American measurements, then arranged for every component Aaron explains. oak flooring; black anodised bifold of the staircase to be cut to size in the factory. ‘They used a foam product to create the curves doors, western red cedar windows; ‘Once the pieces arrived, all cut to their exact in the formwork. All the measurements had to be Haiku ceiling fan; custom concrete and sizes, we literally had to piece it together like a very precise, leaving the exact space required for the Silestone benchtops. jigsaw puzzle.’ sinks, and cavities for the under-bench cupboards The dramatic line of the staircase, rising up and to be fitted. When they started pouring there was over the kitchen, is a fundamental visual feature of lots they had to be careful with, trying to vibrate it the living space. properly and making sure concrete filled all the right In a genius design move, the kitchen – sink, spaces. It was quite a high-risk sort of project.’ cooktop and cabinetry – is tucked beneath the This uncompromising willingness to test the limits staircase, Tetris-like. This highly efficient approach of technical expertise and challenge established maximises floorspace and retains the uncluttered ideas has resulted in a highly liveable, innately aesthetic of the living room. ‘Constructing the appealing home. While the owners are yet to enjoy kitchen was very complex,’ Aaron says. living here, this sensitively executed renovation ‘The joiner had to make up templates to work has ensured that the Bronte house will remain from, just to ensure all the components would fit a significant part of the suburb’s architectural in there together perfectly. It looks very simple, but landscape for decades to come. there was a lot of complicated, highly detailed work.’ www.primeform.com.au MAY 2018 HOUSING 65 INTERIORS