Grand Waterfront Residence Conversion Reimagines Coastal Design
Arts & Crafts Style 1940s home becomes two design-rich residences
Reimagining a 1940s Gunnamatta Bay grand waterfront residence into two separate dwellings was recently accomplished with charm and elegance.
Personally, I love Arts and Crafts style homes so I was excited to see the renovation on this charming home. And then I realised it was two homes! This made the renovation and design aesthetic even more interesting.
Intended for one family, a key challenge was navigating the original residence’s multiple living spaces so the renovation could deliver two individually distinct, yet seamlessly integrated residences.
Located in picturesque Gunnamatta Bay in southern Sydney, NSW, the area is home to netted tidal baths with a foreshore that is a natural boundary for adjacent suburbs Cronulla, Woolooware, and Burraneer. Therefore, maximising views was a priority… alongside other important requests from the homeowner.
Ironbark Architecture and Tass Construction Group were tasked with converting this grand waterfront residence. Driven by a desire for privacy blended with familial togetherness, the homeowner envisioned two separate homes, each complete with its own double garage and with a common outdoor living space.
“Despite the age of the home, the essence of the design brief was to keep the existing charm of the house ensuring that the two new residences still looked like one large home,” says Ben Tass, co-founder of Tass Construction Group.
Chris Freeburn of Ironbark Architecture ensured both new residences are almost equal in size and enjoy split level floorplans providing majestic Gunnamatta Bay views from restored terraces. The home’s original boat house, cabana area and outdoor kitchen received a cosmetic makeover, and form part of a common area along with the pool and wharf.
The upper floor, which forms one ‘home’, is the epitome of coastal elegance. It boasts herringbone timber flooring and modern luxuries. The main living area is accessed via a lift from the entrance essentially future-proofing the second level space. An open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area flow onto a tiled balcony terrace, offering panoramic views of Gunnamatta Bay.
Designed with an intriguing three-quarter circle shape, the kitchen features custom round joinery and benchtops, and bay views from multiple windows.
“It’s a captivating blend of form and function that celebrates coastal living at its finest,” advises Ben. He further points to various ceiling heights, raked ceilings, intricate tile designs, curved walls, and wall angles throughout the home which enhance the design.
“Design features elevate each residence beyond mere functionality to a realm of unparalleled elegance,” said Ben. “It’s so rewarding that we have been able to maintain the charm of the existing house whilst upgrading their living standards and creating two dwellings from one.”
This grand waterfront residence required a huge amount of structural work before completion. “We have built some difficult homes in the past but this was certainly up there,” said Ben, noting the involvement of third-party consultants including engineers, architects, and BCA specialists.
There were so many moving parts and professionals involved it was a pleasure to be a key part of it. These “difficult builds” are what we thrive on at Tass Construction Group and we have the structure and the experience to deliver.”
Further challenges were added to the project with new compliance requirements introduced during construction. Updates to Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 No 9, required all construction and corresponding documentation to meet stricter standards, especially when it came to fire proofing.
“In this situation we were troubleshooting and detailing construction as we built. It was a huge effort and required almost daily input from the architect, certifier, BCA consultant, and ourselves to get it right,” said Ben.
The final result is testament to the transformative power of design in creating spaces that nurture connections and inspire awe. From the sweeping views of Gunnamatta Bay to the intricate details of custom joinery, every element speaks to the timeless allure of coastal living. And this grand waterfront residence conversion will be a timeless addition to the suburb.
