New Light

Located on a site sloping north to south, the challenges were stacked against this brick California bungalow in Balmoral Beach, Sydney. The dining and kitchen received no natural light in the centre and back of the house, and the raised deck disconnected these spaces from the garden. Wanting to rectify the issues, add more bedrooms and create larger living and entertaining spaces, Claire and Steve engaged Cat and Dan of Downie North to redesign their family home. “We looked at additions in a basic way, but each design overshadowed the garden and the living spaces would still be dark,” says Claire. “Cat and Dan gave us this miraculous solution, and the challenge of the property has turned into the most endearing part.”