Encapsulating the cleverness of small house design
Alistair McLean
Category: Heritage, Interiors, Real Estate

Going, going, gone, but not in a good way. Secret Design Studio knows of at least one under-bidder who wanted to save this home and who lost out at the auction yesterday against a buyer’s agent who proclaimed “I am here to buy, whatever it costs”, which he did for a cool $2.29 million, $290,000 over the reserve.mosman1

It was originally built by the 1950-1954 editor of Architecture magazine, Ms Stella Tottenham. The winning bidder plans to demolish the existing house and rebuild with a four bedrrom house and pool that takes advantage of the water views.

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Ms Tottenham engaged architect Arthur Cozens who designed a two-level, flat-roofed house sited high above Middle Harbour, built in warm-toned face brick with white timber fascias, sun-break louvres and window frames, an open-plan living space lined with natural timber, a window wall oriented to the view, and a timber deck poised above the garden. The cleverness of Australian small house design was encapsulated here, and was proclaimed in issue after issue of Architecture.

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Apparently house proud Ms Tottenham described her new small, delightful home as her “bijou” residence.

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Definition of bijou
1 a small dainty usually ornamental piece of delicate workmanship : jewel
2 something delicate, elegant, or highly prized

Unfortunately the “highly prized” part of her bijou residence wasn’t shared by the new owners.

http://www.domain.com.au/20-bullecourt-avenue-mosman-nsw-2088-2012797242

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