Helix Residence by Daniel Boddam

A three-storey Californian bungalow on Sydney’s Lower North Shore has been reimagined by Daniel Boddam to celebrate its Sydney Harbour vistas.

The owner of Helix Residence on Sydney’s Lower North Shore approached architect Daniel Boddam with a desire to expand their existing Californian bungalow to suit the needs of their young family of five and to embrace views of the harbour. The clients also wanted the home to work equally well as an intimate family haven and a residence suited for larger gatherings.

“The effect is warm, approachable, robust and captivating – it’s a beautiful family home.”

Boddam embraced a philosophy of using minimal details to create maximum impact. Curved and rounded motifs appear in the arched foyer, while softened corners and edges are incorporated throughout. Layered lighting choices harmonise classic and contemporary elements. “The effect is warm, approachable, robust and captivating – it’s a beautiful family home,” says Boddam, founder and principal of his eponymous Sydney studio.

Honouring the home’s history was a priority for Boddam, though he admits the task was easier said than done. He cites the installation of the bay window at the front as a particular challenge. “We had to find a sympathetic architectural language for the new addition,” notes the architect, who softened the angularity, emphasised the horizontal elements and designed a sandstone podium to reflect the original facade. The aim was to “strike a fine balance between tradition and modernity, with an emphasis on timelessness and simplicity.”

Boddam designed the spiral staircase as a pièce de résistance, imagining it as “a sculpture that connects all three levels and breaks the otherwise open arrangement of space.”

Boddam designed the spiral staircase as the pièce de résistance of the lower level, positioning the guest bedroom, study and powder room along a modest entry passage as a prelude. He describes the staircase as “a piece of sculpture that connects all three levels and breaks the otherwise open arrangement of space.” Service areas, including the laundry, butler’s pantry and lift, are tucked away, allowing the living areas and breathtaking harbour views to take centre stage. The staircase is crowned with an oculus skylight, which Boddam refers to as “a light shaft that gently animates the interior.”

“We reserved bolder, playful gestures for unexpected areas, exploring a more daring colour palette for walls and stone, along with patterned flooring.”

To sequester the private spaces, Boddam designed a new upper level comprising four bedrooms, each with an ensuite. He allocated the garage and ancillary spaces to the basement, carving out a mudroom for school bags, shoes and storage, as well as a gym, service areas and a wine cellar.

Boddam and interior designer Lorena Karellas curated a material palette inspired by the beauty of imperfection. “A selection of natural stone offers depth and tactility, wire-brushed oak veneer introduces subtle grain, while the nuanced surface of Venetian plaster is intensified by the curves of the architecture,” says the interior designer. They embraced lighter shades in the shared living spaces, while using deeper tones in the bedrooms to create the feel of an intimate cocoon. “We reserved bolder, playful gestures for unexpected areas, exploring a more daring colour palette for walls and stone, along with patterned flooring,” adds Karellas.

“Layered planting schemes and vibrant flowering species reflect the curved architecture and create a harmonious language between the interior and exterior.”

The pool house, perched on a verdant hilltop behind the property, offers a perfect vantage point over the harbour. Wyer & Co. outfitted the surrounding garden with soft textures and sandstone walls, reimagining the space as an oasis for the family to relax, play and entertain. “I wanted the garden to feel calm, soft and continuous,” says Anthony Wyer, creative director of Wyer & Co. “Layered planting schemes and vibrant flowering species bring softness and movement to the multi-level landscape, reflecting the curved architecture and creating a harmonious language between the interior and exterior.”

Architecture by Daniel Boddam. Interior architecture, interior design and furniture by Lorena Karellas Interiors. Build by Sandlik Constructions. Landscape design by Wyer & Co. Joinery by Nu Space.