House M
In House M, Ricci Bloch Architecture + Interiors and Jemma Brender use natural light to bring the interiors to life.
The renovation of House M began with a review of its existing architecture, originally designed in an interwar modernist style. While the clients appreciated the calm, effortless character of the clean-lined building – with references to the ocean liners of the 1920s – they wanted to create more space and privacy for their daughters. Their vision brought the spirit of Mediterranean design to Dover Heights, Sydney, with an emphasis on light-filled rooms suited for entertaining. The brief called for increased natural light, an intuitive sequence of textural spaces and a connection between indoors and out. With Ricci Bloch’s architecture working in harmony with Jemma Brender’s interior design, the renovated home supports a steady rhythm of family life.
With Ricci Bloch’s architecture working in harmony with Jemma Brender’s interior design, the renovated home supports a steady rhythm of family life.
By extending House M on its northern side, Ricci Bloch creates space to relocate the kitchen and introduce a butler’s pantry and rumpus room. The main corridor of the original house was elongated to become the spine of the ground floor, from which the reconfigured zones unfold. Along this corridor, glazed openings reminiscent of the work of architect Luis Barragán maintain sightlines from the original living areas through to the service wing and, beyond, to the rumpus room, which embraces the garden on two sides. Pocket doors between these rooms allow for the moments of greater separation when needed.
The existing staircase was repositioned to improve its functionality and now occupies a more central place off the main corridor, in closer relation to the bedrooms above. Its first steps are visible from the kitchen, while the remainder is thoughtfully concealed, balancing a sense of movement with privacy. Similarly, the bedrooms of the two eldest daughters are given separate entrances, with a bathroom positioned between them. The original split level is retained, allowing the upper floor to be dedicated to the primary suite and the youngest child’s bedroom. Each level benefits from new windows that welcome natural light and harbour views.
As the clients preferred a neutral colour palette, Jemma Brender adds depth and richness through a layered approach to texture. Tumbled limestone and micro-cement are complemented by aged brass and wire-brushed oak, all enlivened by light and shadow. This tonal interplay continues in features such as eucalyptus poles fixed to the awnings and terrace roof to cast shifting shadows, the pool’s reflective surface running parallel to the rumpus room, as well as glossy bathroom tiles that bounce light deeper into the interior. Combined with the architectural additions, these details create an immersive environment suited to all seasons.
Balancing the brightness of Mediterranean design with the textures of Australian modernism, House M reflects a fitting evolution of the clean-lined home. Its architecture and interiors are both shaped around effortless family living, ensuring a grounded residence for years to come.
