Nine-Square Bondi by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects
Nine-Square Bondi, designed by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects, is a reflection of the client’s global and creative mindset – an urban oasis on a small block in a densely populated area, connected to the street and community, while also maintaining privacy.
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Anson Smart
The living space features the Arflex 9000 sofa, Isokon T46 coffee table, ClassiCon Materia long table, Vitra Atari 1A table lamp, and a plaster side table by Opt Studio. Photo: Anson Smart
The Arflex 9000 sofa, Isokon T46 coffee table, ClassiCon Materia long table, Vitra Atari 1A table lamp, and a plaster side table by Opt Studio in the living space. Photo: Anson Smart
Artwork by William Mackinnon; pink bookshelf by Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro. Photo: Anson Smart
The client’s personal interiors collection from their present and past lives reflect inwardly and back to the street through the colourful and playful collection of art, furniture and heirlooms. Photo: Anson Smart
The first floor’s concrete exterior references Brutalist architecture, which is echoed in the interiors in the form of a concrete staircase. Photo: Anson Smart
The kitchen features an island bench made of Artedomus marble, the Artek 64 bar stool, Fisher & Paykel appliances, Alexander Lervik Luna pendant. Ceramic artwork by Ben Mazey; painting by Brendan Huntley; marble palm tree sculpture by Alex Seton. Photo: Anson Smart
The incredible kitchen island bench, made of Artedomus marble. Photo: Anson Smart
The dining space features vintage Charlotte Perriand dining chairs and an Atelier Vime wicker pendant. Photo: Anson Smart
Photo: Anson Smart
Central to the approach was an ‘outdoor room’ on the top floor, where the main living spaces connect to the leafy streetscape and an upper-level courtyard. Photo: Anson Smart
Madeleine Blanchfield Architects have skillfully utilised a compact site by embracing the natural surroundings and encapsulating the essence of its location in Bondi Beach, Sydney. Crafted for a cosmopolitan homeowner – a reflection of the client’s global and creative mindset, the home integrates elements from various parts of the world, such as Asia, South America, North America, and Australia – incorporating influences of time spent living in Hong Kong, their eclectic collection of art and love of Brazilian Brutalist houses
The core concept of the design was to draw on the client’s individuality but also to embrace and reflect the unique character of the Bondi Beach locality: casual, communal, colourful, imperfect and unadorned.
‘Our philosophy was to bring Bondi’s freedom of spirit into the design process and to question the accepted conventions of house composition. Our open-minded clients were prepared to let go of typical compositions of a home and replace them with philosophies around family and community life: and the same curiosity, joy and individuality is evident from the home’s language of interiors,’ says Madeline Blanchfield.
The diverse design approach is combined with the architects' aspiration to introduce innovation within a limited floor space and blur the distinctions between indoor and outdoor living. Giving precedence to light, spaciousness, and a link to the natural surroundings, the extensive ‘open-air living area’ challenges the notion that living spaces and gardens should be exclusively located on a building's ground floor and that indoor and outdoor areas are separate from each other.
‘Flipping the layout initially felt challenging, but this bold design supports the natural rhythms of our beach-side days – among the bustle of Bondi, our home feels like a sanctuary where the boundary between inside and out is blurred by luscious greenery,’ shares the client.
Nestled between apartment buildings ranging from 4 to 5 stories in height and individual houses, the transparency of the architectural design offers a clear and familiar frontage to the public space. The substantial concrete foundation aligns with the Brutalist design concept and encompasses bedrooms and a single garage.
The concrete spiral staircase ascending from the entrance foyer serves as an observable work of art from the street. Atop the building, there is a more lightweight structure that houses art-filled living areas and gardens, reducing the visual mass of the upper part of the residence and presenting an engaging, partly private layer. The living spaces' view of the street's trees not only offers a perspective onto the street but also fosters interaction with the surrounding public area.
Nine-Square Bondi actively participates in and interacts with its surroundings in a dynamic yet peaceful manner, acknowledging the idea that the public space is a significant aspect of the private location.
‘Amongst the bustle of Bondi, our home feels like a sanctuary where the boundaries between inside and out are blurred by luscious greenery. We couldn’t be happier,’ says the client.
The first floor’s concrete exterior references Brutalist architecture, which is echoed in the interiors in the form of a concrete staircase. Photo: Anson Smart
The Brutalist-inspired concrete spiral staircase. Photo: Anson Smart
“Our open-minded clients were prepared to let go of typical compositions of a home and replace them with philosophies around family and community life: and the same curiosity, joy and individuality is evident from the home’s language of interiors.”
The children’s bathroom is clad in small format Artedomus sea-green wall tiles. Photo: Anson Smart
The main bathroom enjoys a view of the garden. The space features a Gareth Ashton freestanding bath and the India Mahdavi Bishop stool. Photo: Anson Smart
Photo: Anson Smart
The children’s bathroom is clad in small format Artedomus sea-green wall tiles. Photo: Anson Smart
The master ensuite features an Artedomus custom marble vanity and the Apparatus Talisman Loop sconce.Photo: Anson Smart
The serene and peaceful bedroom space. Photo: Anson Smart
The client’s art collection is particularly noteworthy and includes pieces by local and international artists. Photo: Anson Smart
The interiors are connected to the outside. Photo: Anson Smart
‘The central courtyard provides space and depth between living areas and we feel connected through the layers of glass even when engaged in our different activities,’ the client says. Photo: Anson Smart
‘Amongst the bustle of Bondi, our home feels like a sanctuary where the boundaries between inside and out are blurred by luscious greenery,’ says the client. Photo: Anson Smart