Same, but Different – Fraternal Twins by Carter Williamson

Sharing a similar lightness, Fraternal Twins were conceived from a related philosophy and approach, with subtlety nuanced detailing defining each of their separate characters. Carter Williamson looks to minimal Japanese crafting in proposing these uniquely connected homes, each as their own embrace of openness and light.

Nestled into the tight residential fabric of Bondi Beach, Fraternal Twins become an exercise in clever urban development and engagement with existing context. In the proximity to the nearby coast, the timber external cladding offers a suited lightness in colour and heft, while the painted brickwork relieves its masonry weighting to the site. Named for their mirrored likeness, the adjoining residences are more like related siblings than identical clones of one another, allowing for a personalisation of each to respond to both orientation and aspect and to become an expression of their owners. Shared by both is a celebration of light and a connection to the surrounding landscape. Through a deliberate restraint, Carter Williamson proposes the complementary homes as humble additions in place.

In its proximity to the nearby coast, the timber external cladding offers a suited lightness in colour and heft, while the painted brickwork relieves its masonry weighting to the site.

Imagined from the same shared masterplan, Fraternal Twins were built by SFN Construction and spread over two levels each, with shared street frontages. Upon approach, they both appear the same, but upon closer inspection, their differences slowly reveal themselves. Hugging the site, they both stretch the depth of their shared allotment, the planning forms an L-shape, creating a sheltered courtyard from the elements. The carving into the mass, while removing floor area, adds a considered element for the health and wellbeing of the occupants – it connects the interior with the exterior and with natural light and ventilation. In essence, the puncturing of the floor plan allows for the home to breathe.

Light plays a major role in the planning and formal approach to both of these homes, with a high-level clerestory above the stair in each allowing heat escape upwards, while also directing light down. Openings are directed to maximise solar gains, while being able to control the internal comfort of the home. The combined use of lightweight timber cladding with the brickwork creates a balance of thermal mass throughout, absorbing and retaining temperatures in some cases and allowing a free flow in others. As a close collaboration between the client, builder and designer, each element and its refined and handmade quality was considered as everything came together on site, further reinforcing the homes in their crafted lightness.

The carving into the mass, while removing floor area, adds a considered element for the health and wellbeing of its occupants – it connects the interior with the exterior and with natural light and ventilation.

Fraternal Twins sit together harmoniously, yet individually occupied and animated. From the restrained base created by Carter Williamson, each is well placed to further evolve over time.