Designed by Prix de Rome–winning architect A.A. Robins, this ’90s residence has 25-foot-tall ceilings, abundant skylights, and a verdant backyard.
Stairs leading down to the steep lot.
Rusting steel alternates with Öko Skin fiber-reinforced concrete panels on the laneway house facade.
"The floor is oak from Tongue and Groove, and the cabinetry is actually a polytech product that's really practical, especially for kitchens because it's harder to damage than veneer,
The outdoor dining nook echoes the interior curves in the back corner of the garden. "Built-in seats just generally give you more space, basically,
Accoya timber-framed doors and windows, reinforced by a charmingly warm-neutral palette, give the renovated house its 'Bungalow Blonde' name.
A compact bar concealed behind the bleached joinery is one of those smaller moments offering delight on reveal.
Warm curves resound throughout the kitchen, offsetting the angularity of the bungalow's original pitched rooves.
The new back section reveals itself in layers, extending all the way through to the garden, where the kids – and dog! – can play safely.
The entry hall culminates in integrated shelving with arches that echo the archways of the walls.
Lekien outfitted the kitchen with oak cabinetry, pale oak flooring, and ceramic wall tile with a matte finish.
The architect designed an artful dining bar that flows from the kitchen into the living area.
The "transparent veranda" allows natural light to penetrate the building’s interior and connects the living areas to the exterior courtyards.
"We wanted the main suite windows to have a non-traditional relationship to the walls and contemporary detailing," Lanigan says. The new bedroom adds a fourth bedroom to the property, expanding it from 1,475 square feet to 2,045 square feet.
Now that the daughter lives just steps away from her mother, Campos says, "The laneway has reunited the family and provided a house that reflects their cultural heritage in a subtle but significant way."
The exterior materials are carried inside to a slatted entryway that conceals a utility unit and closet.
"The building form was intentionally asymmetric and clad in hand-stained, split-face shakes and metal," says Campos Studio.