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Nine-Square Bondi

Architected by Madeleine Blanchfield and Nick Channon, from Madeleine Blanchfield Architects, Nine-Square Bondi is a captivating project that seamlessly merges Bondi Beach’s identity with global influences.

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Project by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects
Photography Anson Smart
Landscape Dangar Barin Smith
Project Type Residential
Builder Skope Constructions
Category Residential
Interior Design Atelier Lab
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Global influences shape a Bondi home

The project draws from the dynamic vibrancy of Hong Kong, an eclectic collection of art, and love of Brazilian brutalist houses, culminating in a harmonious architectural masterpiece.

The home’s material and design language reflect several of these influences, with moments of colour, art, and architectural detail that reference the owners’ memories of Hong Kong alongside an appreciation for Brazilian brutalist houses. These international references are brought together with the casual, communal and colourful character associated with Bondi.

Durable Terrazzo

At its heart lies the innovative use of durable terrazzo, elegantly gracing the floors of bathrooms and the stairway with authenticity and resilience, reflecting the home’s enduring nature.

Italian Terrazzo is carried across the bathroom floors and stairway, making it a recurring material within the residence. Its use across these different areas supports the project’s broader focus on colour, material and detail while creating continuity between key interior spaces.

Essence of Bondi

Embodying the essence of Bondi’s free-spirited community, the design philosophy interweaves casual, communal, and colourful elements, embracing imperfections that make it distinctive. “Memories of Hong Kong are spread in moments of colour, material, and detail throughout the house”, Blanchfield stated in the Vogue Living feature.

Colour and material are central to the residence’s character, with memories of Hong Kong expressed through details throughout the house. Combined with the project’s casual and communal approach, these elements give the interiors an identity that reflects both international influences and the home’s Bondi setting.

An Artistic Statement

A striking feature is the prominent concrete spiral stair, an artistic statement rising from the entry hall, serving as a sculptural testament to the home’s creativity.

While rooted in Bondi’s freedom of spirit, the design process of this project subtly echoes South America, Asian, and Los Angeles influences, embodying a global tapestry of inspiration.

This project has been Shortlisted for the AIA Awards in the Interior Architecture category and the new Residential Architecture – Houses Category.  Additionally, it was featured in The Local Project.

Team: Madeleine Blanchfield and Nick Channon
@madeleineblanchfieldarchitects

Styling: Atelier Lab
@atelier_lab_

Builder: Skope Constructions
@skope_constructions

Photography: Anson Smart
@smartanson

Project Highlights

Italian Terrazzo in Nine-Square Bondi, Sydney

Italian Terrazzo is a recurring material within Nine-Square Bondi, a residential project by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects that draws together the character of Bondi with international design influences. Used across the bathroom floors and stairway, the terrazzo forms part of an interior shaped by colour, art and material details inspired by the owners’ memories and experiences.

The material sits within a wider design story influenced by Hong Kong, Brazilian brutalist houses, South America, Asia and Los Angeles. Alongside the prominent concrete spiral stair, the use of terrazzo contributes to the distinctive interior character of a home designed around casual, communal and colourful spaces.

Sareen Stone supplies Italian Terrazzo and terrazzo tiles for residential and commercial projects across Sydney and Australia.

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FAQs

What terrazzo was used in Nine-Square Bondi?

Sareen Stone’s Italian Terrazzo was used in the material palette for Nine-Square Bondi, a residential project designed by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects.

Where was terrazzo used in the residence?

Terrazzo was used across the bathroom floors and stairway, creating a recurring material element within the home’s interiors.

What influenced the design of Nine-Square Bondi?

The project draws inspiration from the vibrancy of Hong Kong, an eclectic collection of art and Brazilian brutalist houses. The design also reflects influences from South America, Asia and Los Angeles.

Who designed Nine-Square Bondi?

Nine-Square Bondi was designed by Madeleine Blanchfield and Nick Channon of Madeleine Blanchfield Architects. Skope Constructions was the builder, Dangar Barin Smith worked on the landscape, and Atelier Lab provided interior styling.

What is a defining architectural feature of Nine-Square Bondi?

A prominent concrete spiral stair rises from the entry hall, creating a sculptural feature within the residence. Terrazzo is also used on the stairway as part of the project’s material palette.

Has Nine-Square Bondi received architectural recognition?

Yes. Nine-Square Bondi was shortlisted for AIA Awards in the Interior Architecture and Residential Architecture – Houses categories. The project was also featured in The Local Project.

TAKE US THROUGH THE INITIAL STAGES WHEN YOU WERE DESIGNING THE HOME.

We were very fortunate to work with the noted Southern Highlands Architect, Martin McGrane, on the creative design and layout of our home. Together with Martin, we created a beautiful, contemporary open plan home to enjoy with our family and friends.  This is our forever home.

Through a friend of ours, we came across an interior designer, and a beautiful outdoor material, the Cathedral Limestone, which we just fell in love with. We worked closely with Peta Daniel, Interior Designer from Daniel Baker Design, based in Sydney.  Which was wonderful, Peta just got us and what we were wanting to achieve in our home and helped us to make it a reality, in the selection of materials and finishes.

 

WERE THERE CERTAIN PEOPLE/PLACES THAT YOU TOOK INSPIRATION FROM WHEN DESIGNING/BUILDING THE HOME?

We were looking for a contemporary design, however, I didn’t want it to be too modern.  Inspired by a property in LA, that my husband came across, which we took some concepts from and added our ideas, and made it our own.

The LA contemporary look and detail leading into the house from the front door was something that we just loved.  Along with having one row of tiles that runs along the inside of the glass sliding doors leading into the living/dining room from the alfresco space was also a unique detail we wanted to include.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING PROCESS?

The build started in February 2020, and with all the delays throughout COVID, material delays, supplier issues, constant rain, mud pools, you name it, we had it!  Encountering all the possible elements, it felt like we were living in gumboots most of the time during the build.  It took 3 years to build the property, and 8 months just to get the roof on!

We had a deadline for our home to be finished by, which was our daughters’ wedding, being held in March 2023.

There were delays happening everywhere, including issues and delays with the quarry who were providing the Limestone that was to be used in all the outdoor areas surrounding the property.  We had chosen Cathedral Limestone in an alfresco finish with a lovely organic distressed finish on the edge, that we knew would complement the other natural materials we were using.  Time was of the essence, and it came to crunch time and the quarry could not provide a guaranteed time of delivery.  We thought what a disaster!

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SAREEN STONE.. AND HOW THE TEAM HELPED TO OVERCOME THE SUPPLY ISSUE WITH THE CATHEDRAL LIMESTONE.

Working closely with Michael Mastro, from Sareen Stone, he had been in constant contact updating me as best he could.  Then an alternative solution was presented, another Limestone of the same size and finish, with similar tones, which I hoped would work and arrive in time.  Sareen Stone had been behind the scenes working closely with another quarry, to create a new product ‘Lavarosa Anticato’, just for our project, so that we had a solution and were able to finish our home in time for our daughter’s wedding.

When the material arrived, we couldn’t have been happier.  We just loved the Lavarosa Anticato, and it worked so well with our colour palette, and love it even more than our previous selection.  We were over the moon!

 

DESIGNER COMMENTS:

Working with Kate and Eugene on this project was wonderful. They were passionate about the overall design but also the finer details and the interplay of the natural materials with the surrounding landscape.

It was very important that the natural material palette was harmonious, and that each element was both complementary and warm.

I’ve worked with Michael from Sareen Stone on a number of projects and have always been impressed with his professional advice and clear communication. The magnificent home warmly wrapped with the “Lavarosa Anticato” is simply stunning.   A beautiful project!

Peta Daniel, Daniel Baker Design

 

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Interior Designer:  Daniel Baker Design, 0414 341 778
Architecture:  Martin McGrane Architects, 0412 242 253
Photography and short film:  Bolt Media, 0426 607 040