Kyle Bay House

BSA was commissioned by the new owners of this substantial Sydney School house in Kyle Bay to design significant alterations and extensions and to carry out a complete contemporary internal refurbishment. The original brick and concrete house had been designed and physically built in the early seventies by Danny Burtenshaw, a director of BSA, for himself and his family and altered a number of times over the subsequent 35 years in response to circumstances and lifestyle changes. The dwelling has particular significance for BSA as the Company commenced architectural practice from there in the late eighties before moving to more appropriate accommodation elsewhere.

Process

The client brief was specific and comprehensive regarding the desired accommodation and the lifestyle to be provided for and enhanced however, they were determined to retain the architectural integrity of this typical Sydney School house that cascaded down to the water in Kyle Bay. They demonstrated a complete understanding of the design and construction process and elected to undertake the work using a very competent and talented contractor on a cost plus basis. The interior design, while following the BSA concept, was a product of collaboration between client and architect with the client assuming control of the detail resolution and the selection of fittings and finishes.

Interaction with the client was excellent and this led to an outcome that focused on the creation of modern and inviting spaces that sat seamlessly within the existing envelope. While the new facilities juxtapose the existing traditional home, the additional external forms created sit within the enhanced curtilage, rather than overpowering the existing seventies dwelling.