Interlocking Private and Public – Bower Street by One Four Interiors

A considered multi-level home that fronts the street on two accounts and sees an interlocking between public and private spaces, Bower House embraces its location in Manly, Sydney. One Four Interiors combines with Housed Architects in capturing enviable ocean views and creating a flexible and vibrant family home.

Bower House steps up across its site, opening up at its two street frontages and welcoming an engagement with the ocean. Ensuring a maximising of the site, interlocking elements reveal and conceal public and private areas, breaking down the traditional bounding envelope and creating interesting void spaces in the process. Imagined as a flexible home, able to be expanded and contracted as needed by its family and visitors, compartments were created in select locations while still maintaining views. One Four Interiors, together with Housed Architects, bring the non-traditional brief to life, instilling a meaningful connection to its enviable site.

The boldness of inserted joinery matches the exterior architectural form as confident gestures, both standing as additions in their respective landscapes.

Built by Construction Connection, Bower House is accessible from two opposite entries, altering the traditional approach to entry and arrival. The result sees key circulation spaces combine and modify the spatial planning as a result. As well as forming carved openings from within, open terraces are stepped down the site and provide a tangible and close connection to the natural, with the ocean not far behind. Driven by a multi-faceted brief, the many levels needed to be opened and closed as needed, both creating a retreat space and a place to entertain and convene.

Through a layered approach, the interior condition is enriched through textures and tactile elements that provide unexpected gestures. While also creating a base of timeless finishes and custom joinery throughout, the additional curves soften the space. Oak, stone and brass are used to created nuanced accents, adding interesting details that enhance the lived condition. The boldness of inserted joinery matches the exterior architectural form as confident gestures, both standing as additions in their respective landscapes. While a muted base sets the scene, more vibrant and saturated features add detail and enliven the spaces, reflecting the home’s activity and the personalities that reside within.

Imagined as a flexible home, able to be expanded and contracted as needed by its family and visitors, compartments were created in select locations while still maintaining views.

Bower House feels both connected to itself and disconnected from anything around it. In the creation of a place that feels like its own distinct entity in such a densely woven urban fabric, One Four Interiors and Housed Architects have created a unique place of resonance for its owners and a destination for those visiting.