Bonded House by C.Kairouz Architects

Bonded House sees C.Kairouz Architects craft a light-filled, modern family home that cleverly maximises space and connects seamlessly to its outdoor surroundings.

Set on a compact corner block in Northcote, Bonded House features a central light well that floods the home with natural light, establishing a visual and functional focal point to unify the entire scheme. C.Kairouz Architects has utilised the site’s small footprint to the fullest, ensuring that every space is flexible and connected to the outdoors. Stacked brickwork, used both inside and out, creates a cohesive structure, while timber joinery and stone finishes, like Tundra stone, soften the overall feel.

Internally, the use of brick extends into the kitchen and staircase, echoing the external stacked patterns and creating continuity throughout.

Internally, the use of brick extends into the kitchen and staircase, echoing the external stacked patterns and creating continuity throughout. This is further enhanced by Artedomus tiles, which mirror the robust materiality while maintaining a sense of elegance. The soft finishes in greys, whites, and warm timbers contribute to the home’s light, airy atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of tranquillity while balancing its architectural boldness.

The ground floor serves as the communal heart of the home. Here, the kitchen, dining, and living areas are all interconnected, with large openings leading out to an alfresco courtyard. This transition between indoor and outdoor spaces is a hallmark of Bonded House’s design, blurring the boundaries between built and natural environments. The perforated metal banisters and sculptural staircase not only serve as architectural features but also allow light to filter through the space, reinforcing the transparency and connection between the home’s different areas.

By pushing the home against the eastern boundary, including an internal courtyard, and designing sightlines from nearly every room to the gardens, the home achieves an open feel that connects it to nature and the neighbourhood.

Upstairs, the children’s bedrooms and a second living area provide private retreats for family members. The primary suite, cleverly separated by the central staircase, is a calm space that remains connected to the garden through strategic cuts and voids, ensuring privacy without sacrificing natural light or a sense of openness. High ceilings, oversized doors, and strategically placed skylights all contribute to the expansive atmosphere, giving the home a sense of grandeur that belies its compact footprint.

Additionally, to maximise the small site, C.Kairouz Architects created enough living space for the family of four while providing outdoor areas for children and entertaining. By pushing the home against the eastern boundary, including an internal courtyard, and designing sightlines from nearly every room to the gardens, the home achieves an open feel that connects it to nature and the neighbourhood.

Bonded House uses thoughtful design and materiality to create a functional family home. Its use of light, space and indoor-outdoor connections makes the most of the compact site, offering both flexibility and comfort.

Architecture and interior design by C.Kairouz Architects. Build by Trust Projects. Landscape Design by Etched Projects. Tiles by Artedomus.