Cul-de-sac House by SJB

Grounded in nostalgia and lived experiences, Cul-de-sac House is a sensitive reimagining of three adjoining sites in an inner-Melbourne suburb.

SJB directors Michael Bialek and Andrew Parr repeatedly mention “remembering where they came from” when reflecting on Cul-de-sac House. Together, they have thoughtfully conceptualised an honest expression between an existing house they had previously renovated, a new extension and the addition of two more dwellings on adjacent blocks. The family, now with teenage children, approached SJB after they purchased the site to the north and a townhouse on a site next door. “The brief was unusual in that it involved collecting three separate parcels of land, two of which had buildings on them,” recalls Bialek. “The memory of the history was part of the brief for me. I wanted them to remember how they were as a young family and how they’ve grown.”

“The memory of the history was part of the brief for me. I wanted them to remember how they were as a young family and how they’ve grown.”

Approaching Cul-de-sac House, one is greeted by lush emerald-green landscaping, softening the concrete facade so the dwelling sits humbly within the streetscape. “The house has access to two cul-de-sacs – hence the name – so we decided to keep one cul-de-sac to the south as the one where cars come in so that the cul-de-sac to the north becomes a solely pedestrian entry experience,” says Bialek. Much of the existing building fabric has been retained, with considered additions only becoming apparent upon closer inspection. The adjacent townhouse has been converted into a gym and recreation space, while “the character of the original conversion, which was quite contemporary with a lot of strong colours, has also been retained.” Alterations are grounded in accommodating the shift in family lifestyle, providing north-oriented living spaces and introducing more natural light. New elements include a series of landscaped courtyards to integrate the buildings, a parent’s retreat, a sunken lounge, a formal living and dining space and a kitchen by way of extending the ground floor.

Interiors maintain the detailing of the original renovation but feature additional textural finishes such as off-form concrete, timber ceilings and floors and plaster wall finishes. “You read the old house and the new wing as their own, but they seamlessly blend together,” says Parr.

Interiors maintain the detailing of the original renovation but feature additional textural finishes such as off-form concrete, timber ceilings and floors and plaster wall finishes.

“There’s an underlying palette that coordinates the home, but it goes up and down between light and shadow, softer colours and stronger colours, and softer forms and stronger forms.”

The internal courtyards and a central expansive lawn naturally become the hubs where people gather. As well as linking the buildings together, the lawn provides a seamless transition to the new ground-level living areas and a connection to the landscaping from almost every room. “The house feels spacious, not because the house itself is big, but because it includes the garden,” adds Bialek. Sliding aluminium screens further accentuate this blurring of indoors with outdoors, while a Vitrocsa window system facing north provides garden vistas and welcomes the afternoon sun.

As well as linking the buildings together, the lawn provides a seamless transition to the new ground-level living areas and a connection to the landscaping from almost every room.

Embracing the outdoors also informs the interior design approach. “Everything was chosen to have a very strong contact with the lawn and garden,” says Parr. The verdant hues of the lawn extend into the dining and kitchen space through the composition of soft green stone and stainless steel. More pops of colour are dotted throughout the home, such as the sunken lounge, where a rich blue carpet imbues a sense of calm and cosiness. And yet, the space is still connected to the expanse of green beyond. “It’s quite special sitting there, because your back is literally at the same level as the lawn, so you’re submerged into it.”

Throughout the rest of Cul-de-sac House, Parr focuses on creating different experiences. “In the great hall, we waxed the walls so they didn’t feel barren, introduced timber ceilings to give character to the tall ceiling and chose soft grey-green carpet so it didn’t become a vacuous barn,” he says. Statement pieces and references to the bright hues of the graphic artworks are also utilised, from the inky blues in the main bedroom to the deep red-orange carpet lining the staircase. “Even though it’s a large house, it’s about having strong enough furniture to make it comfortable and intimate and using intense, deep hues to saturate rooms.”

“Even though it’s a large house, it’s about having strong enough furniture to make it comfortable and intimate and using intense, deep hues to saturate rooms.”

Cul-de-sac House “feels contemporary, yet not cold or clinical,” says Bialek. Rather, it feels inviting, light and colourful. “There are a lot of textured surfaces … which gives this mottled and slightly aged look, so nothing looks brand new. When you walk through the house, you can’t tell what is original and what’s added on. It looks like the whole house was built at the same time.”

The result is a deeply experiential house that reflects the passing of time and the promise of a new era, beautifully interpreted by SJB. “I am proud that we were able to keep everything that was good in the building fabric and still connect, replan and integrate the garden,” says Bialek. Beyond its elegant physical presence, Cul-de-sac House’s charm is also conceptual – it feels lived in, where it is almost impossible to differentiate the new interventions from the existing elements and is a place where the family can happily grow together.

Architecture and interior design by SJB. Build by Dome Building Projects. Landscape design by Jack Merlo.