Houzz Tour: A Sun-Soaked House Inspired by a Japanese-Style Bath
This modern extension to a California bungalow in Country NSW is open, airy and bathed in northern light
A bath is often one of the last considerations people think about when designing a house. However, in this renovation by Source Architects, the bath was one of the first considerations and even influenced the design and materiality of the modern extension to a California bungalow in Orange, NSW. Here, the Japanese-style bath known as an ofuro, which is a deep-soaking tub with high sides and a typically square or rectangular form, has become a point of design inspiration.
The owners also had a special request. “They wanted a Japanese-style bath, which formed a big influence on the materiality and design of both the house and garden,” Sutherland says. The bath, installed in the master ensuite, was custom made by Pop Concrete in Brisbane, and is an insulated and heated glass-reinforced concrete bath.
Thus, the materials in the interior of the house have a mild Japanese influence. “Warm concrete, timber, leather and linen finishes work together to make a clean yet warm and inviting interior,” says Sutherland.
10 Japanese soaking tubs for bathing bliss
Thus, the materials in the interior of the house have a mild Japanese influence. “Warm concrete, timber, leather and linen finishes work together to make a clean yet warm and inviting interior,” says Sutherland.
10 Japanese soaking tubs for bathing bliss
The materials translate to the exterior of the house with concrete-coloured timber cladding that contrasts with, and complements, the existing brick as well as the new courtyard paving. “We used a timber cladding that will age and weather naturally as the house ages,” says Sutherland.
“We also salvaged some
of the bricks from the demolition for the construction of the fireplace, both inside and out, to provide a visual link between the new extension and the existing house.”
Fireplace: Jetmaster
of the bricks from the demolition for the construction of the fireplace, both inside and out, to provide a visual link between the new extension and the existing house.”
Fireplace: Jetmaster
Because the original house was short on natural light, with only one north-facing window, the new house was planned with careful regard to light and privacy. “The long and skinny block dictated a linear planning diagram to maximise northern light. While the plan itself is quite simple, the roof forms rise and fall to capture eastern light into the dining space and western light into the ensuite,” Sutherland says.
The new extension is thus a single long form housing the kitchen, dining, living and master bedroom, which are positioned along the northern side to take advantage of natural light. The spaces are linked but have been designed to maintain their individual character and privacy.
Sofa: Freedom; chair: Hawkes General Store
Sofa: Freedom; chair: Hawkes General Store
The kitchen is the first functional space in the new addition and is bathed in natural light with six-metre stacking doors that open directly to the courtyard.
“The kitchen is the heart of the home; a hub and a point that is passed through constantly,” says Sutherland. “The space has tactile and warm fittings and joinery in order to be inviting and calming, and the dark timber is used to contrast the generous northern light that falls into the space.”
The next functional spaces – the living and dining areas – are housed within a simple airy volume. They too have been designed with a strong connection to the outdoors, and the sliding glass door and clerestory window allow light to filter in from the east and north. “The space transitions from quite open and lofty in the dining space to more enclosed and intimate in the sitting area,” says Sutherland.
The master bedroom and ensuite are at the end of the new addition. The bedroom, like the rest of the extension, is soaked with northern light from nearly floor-to-ceiling windows.
Cupboards and tall boys are concealed behind the bedhead wall. The materials of the tall boys reflect the Japanese influence with timber and leather draw pulls, and set against a linen-like wall.
From here comes the pièce de résistance…
…. the master bathroom inspired by a Japanese bathhouse. In timber and concrete, the bathroom has the Japanese-style bath with a strong rectangular form that is also expressed in the bathroom vanity.
Pop Concrete made the glass-reinforced concrete bath, which is insulated and heated, as well as the concrete vanity. It is set on a steel frame with timber cabinets made by JRW Joinery in Orange.
Back at the front of the house, the original house merges into the rear extension with built-in cabinetry marking the transition. Curves soften its volume and the combination of timber and white references the dark wooden door frames of the California bungalow and the airiness of the new extension.
Other built-in joinery in the existing house includes this custom designed and made multi-functional corner unit that serves as a bookshelf, home office and bar.
The existing house was retained with the addition of a new powder room and bathroom for the bedrooms.
The powder room’s floor has small white tiles with a flower pattern that reflects the detailed plastered ceiling. “The powder room is a soft, simple space and the tiling just looks lovely; it’s one of our favourite spaces,” says Sutherland.
Omvivo white circular bathroom vanity: Reece
Omvivo white circular bathroom vanity: Reece
In the bathroom, the mosaic floor tiles are black and white with a black border that defines the space. The timber vanity also adds warmth and tactility to the otherwise monochromatic bathroom.
Outside, the courtyard and garden are designed as integral parts of the living spaces. Windows and sliding glass doors not only forge connections with the study in the front of the house and the kitchen, dining, living and master bedroom in the rear of the house, but also bring in light throughout. “Light is very important in Orange, and the northern windows all have external steel awnings to provide shade from the summer sun while letting the winter sun in,” says Sutherland.
Caledonian Landscapes completed the detailed landscaping design with key feature elements placed to line up with specific views from inside. “One of the Japanese maples was transported from the owners’ former residence where it had been planted from seed by the owner’s father. This tree is seen from the master bedroom window, while a few other plants and large boulders were also imported from the previous house to represent the mountains and earth,” Sutherland says.
Who lives here: A married couple and their dog, Minty
Location: Orange, NSW
Year: 2016
Size: 238 square metres; four bedrooms and a study, two living areas, two bathrooms and a powder room
Architect: Source Architects
The original house, located on a compact site near the centre of town, is a traditional California bungalow from the 1920s. “The existing house was in very good condition but had the typical lean-to addition at the rear. It was not well connected to the main house and hampered access to the backyard,” says Sally Sutherland, director and architect at Source Architects. “The original house was also quite dark with only one window on the north side.”
The owners were downsizing from a property just outside of town and wanted to create a warm house with a direct relationship to a low-maintenance landscaped courtyard. Source Architects removed the lean-to, created a modern rear extension and retained the main house with the insertion of a new bathroom and powder room.