An Urban Oasis in Sydney Balances Seclusion and Openness Through Design

Nine-Square Bondi open-plan living space overlooking a lush urban garden in Sydney
In Sydney’s dense Bondi neighbourhood, Nine-Square Bondi transforms a compact site into an urban oasis where Brutalism, California Modernism, and garden living converge.

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

A Sydney Urban Oasis Between Privacy and Community

Designed by Madeleine Blanchfield Architects for an artist and her family, Nine-Square Bondi challenges conventional suburban planning by separating private and communal functions across two distinct levels. While bedrooms remain sheltered on the ground floor, the upper level becomes a generous open-air living environment connected to gardens, terraces, and the surrounding neighbourhood. This careful balance between retreat and engagement creates a contemporary urban oasis shaped by indoor-outdoor living.

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Where Brutalism Meets California Modernism

The house combines a robust concrete base inspired by Brazilian Brutalism with a lighter pavilion-like structure influenced by California Modernism. Organised around a planted courtyard and a nine-square grid, the upper level is filled with natural light, greenery, and visual openness. Floor-to-ceiling glazing dissolves boundaries between architecture and landscape, while contemporary artworks, handcrafted objects, and sculptural elements enrich the home’s spatial experience.

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

▎Another powerful sculptural example is located on the ground floor courtesy of a concrete spiral staircase rising from the entry hall. On the same level, a Pierre Frey wallpaper by French visual artist Hélène Mongin in the master bathroom dreamily echoes the mountainous landscapes of Hong Kong where the family previously lived. A sombre blue-grey colour palette in the master bedroom picks up the mural’s hues while more vivid hues can be found in the children’s chambers and additional bathrooms. Thoughtfully designed and curated down to the smallest detail, the dwelling celebrates curiosity, joy and individuality whilst very much feeling like a home that feels, in the owners’ words, just “like a sanctuary amongst the bustle of Bondi”.

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

 

Create an Urban Oasis in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness—Architects Create an [Urban Oasis] in Sydney that Straddles Seclusion and Openness the house’s architecture which boldly marries Brutalism and California Modernism

花田裡有個白色東西浮著 還不太確定是什麼

這些結構看起來有點不太合理但又剛好成立雲端漫步

07/04/2026

    雲端漫步於蘇州敦澳村稻田中，為一處充氣建築，身體、景觀與材料想像力在其中交織穿越。     位於蘇州敦澳村稻田中的雲端漫步，是一處以貨櫃與充氣結構構成的空間裝置。三個分散的體積落在田野之中，形成一種介於建築與裝置之間的存在，身體、景觀與材料想像力在其中交織 Material as Narrative。   「雲端漫步」坐落於中國蘇州附近的敦澳村稻田之中，由三座小型建築組成。與其說是實際的建築，不如說是身體、景觀和想像力之間一種比較輕的交會。該項目由蘇州的 先看到一個怪東西   Practice on Earth 建築事務所與墨爾本的 Increments Studio 共同設計，作為當地農業與文化復興計畫的一部分，取代了原本散落的廢棄建物。看起來有點不太確定是不是固定的 看起來太輕了   三個量體融合貨櫃與充氣結構，呈現出一種既清新又帶點不太確定的狀態，與周圍農田的節奏維持著一種剛好的距離。 不太應該在這 田裡，有點輕，不像固定

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Picture of kanikachic

kanikachic

All Posts »
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Search

KanikaChic is an independent editorial platform covering architecture, design, craft and objects. We publish stories about spaces, materials and ideas that shape contemporary culture.