Californian Bungalow
Completed 2024
Photos by Rhys Holland
A contemporary internal renovation of a heritage home. This charming red brick bungalow has been given another life.
The traditional red brick Californian Bungalow is iconic of the architecture of central Albury. Deep verandahs, elegant chimneys and beautiful brickwork, accompanied by cold draughts, poor heating and generations of additions.
Introducing 'Californian Bungalow', a renovation of a little central Albury red brick house, to create a contemporary north-facing and light-filled living and kitchen area. This renovation utilised the existing footprint of the house, but made use of spaces which were previously impractical. In the kitchen, you can now enjoy a meal or a coffee in the beautiful winter sunlight at the breakfast table.
The heritage elements were restored and enhanced, with a new galvanised roof, new fretwork and paint, and insulation where possible. The previous unsympathetic additions were removed, and spaces reconfigured to be more liveable.
In creating a large open space, acoustic performance was very important to Stephen and Maureen so acoustic panels have been incorporated into the ceiling, and a carefully considered sound system installed into the tv joinery and ceiling lining.
Having an advantageous rear north aspect the rear lean-to was re-established with a widened footprint, double glazing and appropriate shading. The expansion involved removing the outdoor toilet and gave room for a European style laundry accessed from inside.
Aluminium-timber composite frame windows and doors on the north elevation provide low maintenance surfaces outside while giving warmth inside.
Electric in-floor hydronic heating and a small AC unit provide effective climate control, bringing what was previously a very cold space, into a space that could be kept open and warm. This also involved removing all gas appliances, making this house all electric with substantial solar energy capture and battery.
Flooring was updated throughout, terrazzo tiles unifying the living areas and giving direct warmth from the underfloor heating.
Light, lots of white, bright and warm was the brief and this was carried through the carefully considered joinery in a palette of materials including corian and blackbutt.
