Architect: Richards Stanisich
Builder: Alvarez Constructions
Location: South Bondi. NSW
Transforming an original Art Deco apartment building on the South Bondi headland into a single residence required more than careful design. The project, designed by Richards Stanisich, demanded a structural approach capable of supporting significant changes while preserving the building’s character. The external masonry walls were retained, an additional level was added to accommodate living spaces and a terrace, and a basement was excavated into rock.
For Partridge, the first challenge was the perimeter cavity brick walls. With the roof and internal floors removed, these walls lost the lateral support they had relied on for decades. Temporary stability became the priority. We developed a system of steel portal frames positioned in the narrow gaps between the walls and site boundaries, holding the masonry securely while allowing clear access for demolition, excavation, and new construction.
The condition of the walls added further complexity. Many cavity ties were corroded or missing, and the lime mortar had deteriorated. To ensure the walls could perform reliably, a targeted remediation strategy was developed. New cavity ties reconnected the masonry leaves, mortar joints were repointed, and a protective render was applied to strengthen the walls against the coastal environment.
Once stabilised, the walls became part of the new structure. Concrete floor slabs and roof framing were designed to integrate with both the retained masonry and the additional level, while basement excavation required contiguous piled shoring at the front to accommodate a car stacker and a detention tank at the rear.
The structural design also supported the architectural intent of the interiors. Curved surfaces, the central stair, and reflective finishes were all considered in the load paths, ensuring that the structure could carry these features without limiting light, space, or form.
This project illustrates the role of structural engineering in bridging old and new. By combining temporary works, remediation, and new construction, Partridge enabled the building to be reconfigured, strengthened, and expanded, all while retaining the integrity of the original Art Deco fabric.
