Staying Put – Russell Lea House by Robert Parisi Architecture + Design

Russell Lea House sees the transformation of an existing Californian bungalow into a contemporary and connected series of spaces. Robert Parisi Architecture + Design draws light and other natural elements into the resulting spaces to naturally enliven the everyday lifestyle of its occupants.

The struggle of searching for the ideal unique property that ticks every imaginable and fathomable criterion is an all too familiar one. For the owners of Russell Lea House, reimagining the existing Californian bungalow home and expanding on its volumes to the rear became the ideal scenario. Remaining within their established network and embedded within the community, building upon the beloved home fulfilled all goals. Robert Parisi Architecture + Design extrudes the existing silhouette backwards and rearranges the interior to suit the needs of the family.

A lofted gable ceiling acts as a destination moment within the newly formed living, dining and kitchen space, bringing light in from above and drawing the eye up and out towards the rear garden.

Incorporating flexibility and allowing the interior space to adapt as needs evolved was key to the new additions. Constructed by Built By Dezign, Russell Lea House is defined by its open and social areas, seeing other formally separate spaces function as areas for retreat and offer a dynamic balance of living style. The combination allows members of the home a level of interaction they desire. As the new form stretches outward, key consideration has also been given to natural light, from both vertical and horizontal aspects, allowing the illumination to engage and activate areas throughout the day.

The proposal aimed to expand the overall footprint of the home, creating open and light filled spaces that still retain a connection to the original structure – its proportions setting the tone of generosity through the additional areas. A lofted gable ceiling acts as a destination moment within the newly formed living, dining and kitchen space, bringing light in from above and drawing the eye up and out towards the rear garden. Opening in volume and through the addition of large glazing insertions, key connections between the inside and outside are incorporated – reinforcing both a natural connection and one that optimises the entire site in full.

As the new form stretches outward, key consideration has also been given to natural light, from both vertical and horizontal aspects, allowing the illumination to engage and activate areas throughout the day.

Russell Lea House by Robert Parisi Architecture + Design draws on the existing elements that its owners loved. The new design celebrates and expands the outer limits of the home to suitably fit their coming chapter.