Fletcher Street
Commanding spectacular views of Bondi’s iconic beach, Fletcher Street by H&E Architects is an imaginative reworking of an apartment building into an elegant family home.
Behind the crisp, white arches of Fletcher Street’s facade lies an interesting history – one that H&E Architects has been part of for more than a decade. Originally a block of five units, the building was first updated by the practice into three interconnected apartments 15 years ago for its previous owner. Now, it has been transformed again. “For this project, we were re-engaged to turn it into a single residence for a couple and their four adult children,” says Chris Grinham, co-director of H&E Architects alongside Glenn Cunnington.
The staircase is a statement piece – an exquisitely crafted, curved timber form that greets visitors the moment they step inside.
Set above a picturesque stretch of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, Fletcher Street occupies one of Sydney’s most enviable positions. “The view of Bondi and the Pacific Ocean is absolutely extraordinary,” says Grinham. “The clients are a very active family and they love the beach lifestyle.” To make the most of its incredible clifftop location, H&E aimed to open the home up on its north-eastern side while also protecting it from the harsh coastal weather and bustle of Bondi below. “One of the things we really worked hard at was how to embrace the view, maximise light and air, but still allow the clients a sense of privacy.”
The site’s long, narrow footprint, flanked tightly by neighbouring buildings, also presented some challenges. “One of the difficulties was getting sunlight into the depths of the building,” he says. The solution came in the form of a sculptural central staircase, crowned by a grand skylight that channels natural light deep into the home’s three levels. The staircase is a statement piece – an exquisitely crafted, curved timber form that greets visitors the moment they step inside. “From the entry sequence, we wanted an opportunity to engage with the broader depth of the house,” says Grinham. “So that’s why the staircase, with its open treads, is tied to the entry… allowing visitors to understand the program right away.”
The top floor – previously the main bedroom – is now the social heart of the home, with an airy open-plan kitchen, living and dining area spilling onto a spectacular terrace.
That program is generous, with six bedrooms, three living spaces and two terraces across its three storeys. The family had lived in the building for six years, so the layout is driven by a deep understanding of their lifestyle. The top floor – previously the main bedroom – is now the social heart of the home, with an airy open-plan kitchen, living and dining area spilling onto a spectacular terrace. “It’s such an entertainer’s house,” says Grinham. “You really feel like you want to invite people over.”
Timber defines this space with a stunning batten ceiling from Sculptform and warm oak joinery by Redwood Carpentry giving it an intimate, nautical feel. The kitchen revolves around a remarkable marble island crafted from Ocean & Merchant stone, which echoes the grey-green tones of the waves below. Above the cooktop, a brass rangehood gleams softly, while timber pocket doors with fluted glass insets lead to a bathroom and butler’s pantry. The door’s curved form mirrors the arched windows of the facade – a motif that is carried throughout the house.
On the second level, the tone shifts to calm, private spaces. A tranquil, art-filled study leads to the main bedroom, where floor-to-ceiling glazing on the north and east walls opens the room up to the horizon. “From our perspective, it was a case of keeping it fairly simple, so we weren’t trying to compete with the view,” says Grinham. In the ensuite, muted creamy-hued terrazzo catches the light like seashells, while the freestanding bathtub and waterfall shower are screened by two large sculptural planters.
The ground floor morphs into another mode, made for leisure and retreat. It houses additional bedrooms, a gym, wine cellar and second entertaining area that opens directly onto a timber deck and infinity pool overlooking the ocean. As this is a favourite spot for the children to have friends over, the timber batten ceilings help to absorb sound as well as create a sense of cosiness. “Having a natural timber ceiling that was a bit darker and a bit moodier was a way of bringing it back to a more intimate space,” notes the architect.
Throughout Fletcher Street, material choices speak to the coastal setting and the practical realities of living by the sea. “It’s a coastal house – you don’t want it to be uptight,” he says. “The materiality is robust enough that you can come back from the beach with sand on your feet and you’re not worried about scratching up the floor.” The team’s background in bespoke commercial work brought a willingness to experiment with materials, lighting and detailing that veers away from the clichés of beachside homes. “We’re certainly not afraid of timber in particular and exploring things that maybe aren’t so standard in a typical house.”
Despite its grand scale, Fletcher Street doesn’t feel showy – it is elegant and refined while still being comfortable and luxurious. “It looks like a multimillion-dollar home,” says Grinham, “but you don’t feel like you have to get dressed up in Tom Ford or Gucci to go downstairs to have breakfast. You can be in bare feet and board shorts and be very happy there.” In reworking the building once more, H&E Architects has created a home that embraces the full character of Bondi with its light, relaxed sophistication and connection to the sea.
