Powerhouse collaborators Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors share their latest residential project a stone’s throw from Bondi Beach; a three-storey family home designed as an ode to the sand and swell.
Both known for their distinct modern Australian style, esteemed Australian design studios Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors have joined forces on tastefully reworking this sculptural Sydney home to accommodate a large family and their beloved pets. The home is named after the Indigenous Australian term ‘Bombora’, referring to a wave breaking over a shallow reef or sandbank. Bondi Bombora takes inspiration from the glistening Bondi waters, resulting in a functional family home that embraces its coastal-cool locale.
The City Stik Mixer by Brodware seamlessly blends into the contemporary two-tone kitchen.
Built on a densely-packed street, Bondi Bombora turns heads through its striking colour-blocked facade and curvaceous form. The entrance of the home is clad in blue herringbone mosaic tiles that shimmer in the sunlight, setting the tone for the home’s subtle coastal cues inside. A small round window on in the garage is another nod to the exterior’s beachside theme.
The hero of the home is undoubtedly the grand staircase, filled with books from floor to ceiling. Alwill Interiors founder and director Romy Alwill says that an overarching sense of tranquillity among the chaos of Bondi Beach was crucial to the brief of the home. “Bondi can feel really busy all the time despite its beachy vibes,” Romy says. “For the interiors, we wanted to create a sense of calm and retreat to the movement outside; something cool, classic and timeless,” she adds. At the stairwell base, you’ll find a small study nook by a traditional window from the old house, next to a cosy window bench seat.
The kitchen features the Dowel Bar Stool by Mr Frag.
The Serge Mouille 6 Arm Ceiling Pendant illuminates the Elliot dining table by Jason Miller for De La Espada and Cherner Dining Chairs.
The Molinari Living Rondo Armchair in the cosy study nook and window bench seat underneath the stairwell.
The void features an assortment of Atmosphere D’ailleurs Kute Pendant Lights.
Cleverly-integrated storage reveals itself in the staircase landing, built-in cabinetry in the dining room and floating shelves in the home office. Transitioning to the open hub of the home, Luigi Rosselli Architects’ signature curved island benchtop creates a sense of flow and ease of movement in this space. The strong two-tone palette of rich oak and marble in the kitchen taps into the modern Australian aesthetic, complete with integrated appliances and Brodware tapware.
Black steel-frame doors open up to the backyard – a place for the family’s dogs and chickens to roam. Luigi Rosselli Architects project architect Diana Yang explains that this ease of connection to the outdoors was a critical element of the design. “Focus was placed upon creating a strong sense of connection between interior and exterior, as the previous house had little green space and lacked light and airflow, “ Diana says.
The IWI Chair by Christopher Delcourt by Ondene in the home office upstairs.
The colour palette of neutral timbers and seaside-inspired tones is consistent throughout the home. Romy Alwill explains that a combination of both warm and cool tones was the goal. “There are moments of light and shade with the two-tone use of timber and then the Carrara marble in the kitchen,” Romy explains. “We’ve played on that with the furnishings and wall colours in some of the spaces, namely the sage study and the black ceiling in the hallway”.
A balance between the busy Bondi scene and a family’s place of retreat has been achieved, testament to Luigi Rosselli Architects and Alwill Interiors’ collaboration.
The entrance of the home is clad in blue herringbone mosaic tiles that shimmer in the sunlight.
