# Sleek Cottage Abodes The Birchgrove House Revolutionizes Outdoor Living By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-09-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birchgrove-house References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2014/09/01/birchgrove-house-by-nobbs-radford-architects/) & [nobbsradford.au](http://nobbsradford.com.au/) Nobbs Radford Architects designed the 'Birchgrove House,' a renovated cottage located in the suburb of the same name, in Sydney, Australia. The original structure was a [weatherboard cottage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rustic-renovation), and the architects updated the design to maximize its relationship with the outdoors. They replaced the external walls of the upper level with a facade, that can open and close; when closed, it mimics the original weatherboards. The architects also extended the main bathroom out towards the upstairs balcony, allowing for a unique outdoor experience. Finally, the architects replaced the existing staircase with an protracted stair spine. Joinery wraps fill the pockets above and below the stair with storage space, ensuring a completely new spatial experience. A [concrete stucco wall](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birdwood-house) runs the length of the staircase, diffusing light and shadows that enter from the glazed roof above. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 56% | Activity: 25% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Maximized Outdoor Living:** This trend focuses on optimizing the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating innovative designs for a seamless transition. - **Adaptive Facades:** This trend involves the use of flexible and adaptable facades that can open and close, allowing for versatile architectural designs. - **Spatial Optimization:** This trend explores the utilization of spatial elements, such as staircases and joinery wraps, to create new spatial experiences within a structure. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture:** Architects can embrace the trend of maximized outdoor living and incorporate adaptive facades in their designs to create unique and functional spaces. - **Construction:** The construction industry can explore new methods and materials for implementing adaptive facades and optimizing spatial elements in building projects. - **Interior Design:** Interior designers can utilize the concept of spatial optimization to create visually stunning and functional interiors by integrating unique stair designs and joinery wraps. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Garden-Connected Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-waverley-house.md) - [Timber-Framed Undercroft Home Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balmoral-hillside-house.md) - [Updated 60s English Bungalows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-wood-shingle.md) - [Adaptive Family Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carlton-cottage-extension.md) - [Textural Tranquil Cottage Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harriets-house.md) - [Living Landscape Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hedge-and-arbour-house.md) - [Gabled Annexe Vintage Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solitgarreau-residence.md) - [Blocky Extended Transformed Bunaglows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/osullivan-skoufoglou-architects.md) - [Timber-Clad Home Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thornbury-house.md)