Sunny disposition

Originally, this bungalow had closed-off living areas that robbed its interiors of natural light. The addition of an entry portico in the 1980s merely compounded the problem, making the hallway even darker than it was.

Architect Jonathan Smith undertook the renovation of the bungalow, which included a new upper level and a light-infusing transformation to the residence at the ground level.

"We removed the portico and restored the original frontage," says Smith. "The new entranceway, taller than usual on a bungalow of this era, allowed us to introduce clerestory windows to draw natural light into the interior.

"The original hall did not have any exterior windows."

The previous jumble of closed-off rooms was replaced by a more open-plan layout, partly achieved by removing an interior wall that restricted the central hallway. With this gone, sunlight now enters the house from the front or rear windows, according to the time of day.

The access stair to the new upper-level study and bedroom was specified with an open tread to further optimise light flow through the space.

At the top of the stairs, the study faces back down to the double-height hall through an internal window. The study and bedroom beyond it each have two skylights, and the internal glass allows sunlight from these to filter right down through the house.

"In the winter, sectioning off areas makes sense in terms of keeping rooms warm," says the architect.

To achieve energy-efficient heating, cavity sliders now close off the rear of the hall and the living areas from the voluminous entrance an expensive space to heat.

"We included glass panels in the sliding doors to maximise light penetration from the winter sun," Smith says.

Story by: Charles Moxham