A Modern Glass Bridge Links Old and New
A Sydney home pushes traditional and contemporary designs to the limit, giving its owners the best of both worlds
Louise O'Bryan
May 13, 2018
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Having lived in a quaint bungalow in greater Sydney for many years and developed strong family ties to the area, the owners were eager to turn their home into an empty nester’s dream after all but one of their four children had moved out. Despite its solid structure and wonderful period features, the cozy brick house remained stuck in the past, with a tiny kitchen and a living room disconnected from the landscape.
The couple had big dreams for creating an exciting forever home, so they searched for an architecture firm that would push the boundaries of contemporary design yet retain the beauty of the traditional architecture. Danny Broe delivered on their vision. “[Besides] an open kitchen, dining and living space, the couple’s wish list included a large train room for [the owner’s] state-of-the-art train set, so we knew from the start this was going to be an unconventional renovation,” Broe says.
The couple had big dreams for creating an exciting forever home, so they searched for an architecture firm that would push the boundaries of contemporary design yet retain the beauty of the traditional architecture. Danny Broe delivered on their vision. “[Besides] an open kitchen, dining and living space, the couple’s wish list included a large train room for [the owner’s] state-of-the-art train set, so we knew from the start this was going to be an unconventional renovation,” Broe says.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A train engineer, his designer wife and one of their four children
Location: North Epping area of Sydney
Size: 2,465 square feet (229 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Architect: Danny Broe Architect
From the outset, the couple was open-minded and shared the architect’s vision of adding a contemporary addition at the back of the house, rather than mimicking the 1940s construction of their bungalow. “We took this opportunity to do something exciting but also practical, so we separated the old house and new addition with a space and connected them with a glass bridge. The approach was to push the style of each part to its extreme,” Broe says.
Who lives here: A train engineer, his designer wife and one of their four children
Location: North Epping area of Sydney
Size: 2,465 square feet (229 square meters); four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Architect: Danny Broe Architect
From the outset, the couple was open-minded and shared the architect’s vision of adding a contemporary addition at the back of the house, rather than mimicking the 1940s construction of their bungalow. “We took this opportunity to do something exciting but also practical, so we separated the old house and new addition with a space and connected them with a glass bridge. The approach was to push the style of each part to its extreme,” Broe says.
The white cubelike addition at the rear strikes a bold sculptural tone yet is covered with sustainable wood to tie in with the neighborhood. The site slopes slightly from front to back, which allowed the addition to have a split-level arrangement.
The floor level drops to the garden level, creating the connection to the outside. Meanwhile, ascending a half-flight of stairs takes you to the train room that floats above. “To add to the sculptural nature of the addition, the outdoor terrace is carved out of the extension and is a recessive space instead of an add-on,” Broe says.
The floor level drops to the garden level, creating the connection to the outside. Meanwhile, ascending a half-flight of stairs takes you to the train room that floats above. “To add to the sculptural nature of the addition, the outdoor terrace is carved out of the extension and is a recessive space instead of an add-on,” Broe says.
The state of New South Wales fast-tracked its approval for the monochromatic exterior palette. “The design and approval process went very smoothly, allowing us and the client to choose the colors we wanted, rather than adhering to council-preferred earthy tones,” Broe says.
Shorebuild, the builder, then created aluminum awnings over the west-facing windows, enhancing the sleek contemporary appearance of the addition.
Shorebuild, the builder, then created aluminum awnings over the west-facing windows, enhancing the sleek contemporary appearance of the addition.
The bungalow originally had three bedrooms, a cramped living room, a small kitchen and a ’60s-style sunroom. After being lovingly restored, the home now includes a piano room and a study for the woman of the house, with sliding doors between them.
A double-height void and large aluminum windows create a sense of space and light in the addition. “We love void spaces, and the void over the living room is one of the best,” Broe says. “The contrast of the low spaces against the open areas creates both intimacy and drama, and evokes a sense of spatial dynamism. The space itself becomes a sculptural element of the house.”
Large sliding doors give a wonderful view of the terrace from the dining zone, while a pendant light hangs from a lower part of the ceiling to illuminate the dining spot.
The floor is polished concrete with a burnished finish, resulting in a soft gray look.
The floor is polished concrete with a burnished finish, resulting in a soft gray look.
A tactile rug defines the seating area. It’s deliberately pared-back in style, allowing the drama to unfold through the architecture.
One such area of drama is the colossal sandstone wall that marks the double-height stair void, injecting texture, warmth and interest. “The sandstone was hand-cut on-site, recycling the foundations of the demolished part of the house and adding another connection between the old and the new,” Broe says.
The kitchen is next to the dining and living areas. Wood veneer teams with a Piatra Gray Caesarstone countertop to complement the gray concrete floor and the buttery-yellow stone wall. A peninsula offers a generous work surface for serving and entertaining in the social living space yet ensures that the cooking zone is clearly defined by the U-shaped layout.
Appliances: Miele; faucet: Franke; range hood: Qasair
Appliances: Miele; faucet: Franke; range hood: Qasair
One of the biggest challenges for the build team was constructing the innovative and structurally adventurous staircase. “There are very few vertical supports to the handrail as it zigzags up and down. It’s almost like a musical instrument,” Broe says. “The stainless steel wires are in tension and, as a result, put a lot of pressure on the structure. We had to work closely with the engineer, builder, steel fabricator and code certifier to achieve an edgy but safe structure.”
The lower treads of the staircase are off-form concrete, creating a sculptural finish in themselves.
The lower treads of the staircase are off-form concrete, creating a sculptural finish in themselves.
Continue up the staircase and you cross the glass bridge leading into the old part of the living space. The addition incorporates part of the original brick exterior, further fueling the old and new connections and adding to the raw textures found throughout the new interior.
After crossing the glass bridge, you enter the old part of the house, where the piano room and the study sit, separated by sliding doors.
The original features, including the wood floor, were renovated where possible.
The original features, including the wood floor, were renovated where possible.
The rustic sandstone wall repeats in the new bathroom to create a textured contrast against the dark porcelain tiles, while the slim shower screen adds a sleek contemporary note.
Tiles: Bisanna Tiles
Tiles: Bisanna Tiles
Broe says that he’s most proud of the “truly exciting and sensational” feeling of space created by the void areas. “But we’re also thrilled with the contrast between traditional and contemporary, and the pure nature of each component,” he adds.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
We believe everyone deserves a space that will make them feel comfortable. Our goal is to help you create and... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
We are a family owned business with four generations of experience in whole house remodeling. For over 25 years,... Read More
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Period Home Gains Color and Character
By Kate Burt
Before-and-after photos show how a bold palette and restored features bring warmth and personality to this English house
Full Story
Barn Homes
Houzz Tour: Old Barns Become an Airy, Modern-Rustic Home
A barn home in Devon, England, sits lightly on the land and offers simple, relaxing spaces for an extended family
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Once-Bland Rental Now a Welcoming Home
By Kate Burt
A designer found on Houzz transforms a plain city apartment using color, texture and space planning
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Contemporary London Home Full of Light and Garden Views
See and read how an architect on Houzz dramatically brightened once-dark spaces to create an airy contemporary home
Full Story
Trending Now
The Most Popular Kitchens From Around the World in 2023
Visit Japan, Germany and 8 other countries to get inspiring design ideas in the most-saved kitchen photos of the year
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Lighter Look and Period Features in a Converted Barn
By Jo Simmons
In England’s Cotswolds district, an update introduces calm, contemporary elements while keeping a barn home’s character
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Updated Historical Home With a Modern Addition
By Jill Morgan
A light-filled addition and reworked layout transformed this period property in Wales into a stunning home
Full Story
Modern Homes
Houzz Tour: Family Says No to Relocating in Favor of Remodeling
An architect helps a family in Rome bring light, color and natural materials into their apartment
Full Story
Eclectic Homes
Houzz Tour: Rich Color and Classic Features Revive a Row House
A designer restores period details and improves the layout to reinvent a London home for a family of 5
Full Story
Perfect response Jana Kadlicová - JK DECO!! I wonder if mandcsmamadee "understands" it. :)