The grounds this vative Australian property have been approached with as much thought and creativity as its interior

Thanks to innovative green thinking, the interior and exterior of this sun-drenched Sydney home exist in perfect equilibrium

THIS ARID OASIS, just a short stroll from Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, shows what’s possible when a home’s interior and garden are approached with equal thought and creativity. ‘We wanted the relationship between inside and outside to be very fluid,’ says Andrew Burges, the architect tasked with transforming this 1930s semi-detached house and its narrow plot for owners Will and Julia Dangar. As founder of innovative landscape design practice Dangar Barin Smith, Will was eager to experiment with his own property, so he and Andrew concocted the idea of a continuous garden that exists in balance with the main living spaces.

Sustainability was always at the forefront of the pair’s thinking, with this home’s green space providing more than just aesthetic value. ‘Few clients are willing to sacrifice floor space for more garden, but the Bismarck palm and the large cactus (preserved from the original garden) provide good shade,’ says project architect Min Dark. ‘We also capture breezes from the ocean through ground level ventilation panels.’ Details like these are important in a climate as hot and dry as Australia’s east coast. Similarly smart is the decision to collect and store rainwater under the raised floor of the original front rooms, using it to keep the assortment of native species and succulents alive during dry months.

You are never far from nature here, with huge sliding doors ensuring that this home’s boundary with the outside world is invitingly open. That connection, as well as a strong awareness of environmental impact, inspired the choices of materials used for the extension. A robust yet sinuous shell of concrete is paired with corrugated metal, plus walls and a staircase built using bricks recycled from the original structures on site. Whitewashed to create a uniform finish, these salvaged finds have retained their character.

Elaborating on the concept of garden rooms, David Harrison of Design Daily Interiors worked closely with Julia to create an interior that seamlessly suits this setting. ‘We used natural woven materials, as well as cork and timber, mixing vintage pieces with new,’ he explains. There is a collision of eras and geographies in the sourcing – a modern sofa from Japan designed by Brazilian architectural practice MK27 for Ariake, a Tuareg rug from Morocco, two French 1940s armchairs by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet – with many pieces also custom designed to suit this space’s distinctive curves. The result is an eclectic mix, but one that produces a unique air of laid-back, responsible coastal luxury. aba-architects.com.au; dangarbarinsmith.com.au; designdaily.com.au

SLIDING DOORS AND SHUTTERED WINDOWS ENSURE THIS HOME’S BOUNDARY WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS INVITINGLY OPEN

Above The Bismark palm provides plenty of good shade, and adds to the idea of a ‘continuous garden’ Opposite Environmental impact was a key factor for the extension build, with concrete and corrugated metal used to striking effect

Living room A ‘Braid’ sofa by Studio MK27 for Ariake and a pair of vintage chairs by French designers Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet – try 1st Dibs – sit on top of a Tuareg rug from Morocco. In the corner stands a ‘Line Two’ floor light by Rune Krøjgaard and Knut Bendick Humlevik for Nor11. The cork side table is a design by Jasper Morrison for Vitra

Living area Adding a dash of colour to this neutral interior, the eye-catching metal cabinet, designed by Andrew Burges Architects, is finished in Venetian red Exterior The original features of the1930s house carefully blend with the modern extension thanks to the unifying garden design Opposite Built from bricks recycled from the original structure, the stairs are contained by a gridded panel of galvanised steel

Kitchen/dining area Beneath the ‘Formakami J5’ pendant light by Jaime Hayon for &Tradition, a collection of ‘Lightwood’ chairs by Jasper Morrison for Maruni are placed around the ‘Kotai’ table by Mario Ruiz for Expormim

Kitchen Oak shelving displays ‘Nera’ bowls by Zanat and a piece by ceramicist Mel Lumb. The bar stools, pulled up to the white-tiled island, are the ‘Adam’ by Frama. A large picture window to the side street can be open or screened by the slatted oak shutters

Hallway The industrial effect of curved concrete walls is softened by a delicate ‘Formakami J3’ paper pendant light by Jaime Hayon for &Tradition Guest bedroom A custom-made bed by Cranbrook Workshop is positioned under a trio of artworks by Liza Giles. An open wardrobe made of metal piping puts clothes on display Bathroom Narrow pencil tiles – for similar try Raven – hug the sinuous shape of the wall

Main bedroom Vintage bedside lamps, sourced on Etsy, provide soft illumination. The French bedlinen – Maison de Vacances sells similar – picks up on the tones of the Gail English artwork above See Stockists page for details