Californian Bungalows in Australia

I’ve mentioned before that many of the homes in my area are Federation style houses. The other architectural style that’s prominent around here is the Californian Bungalow.

The Cal Bung, as it is affectionately called, became popular in Australia in the 1920s. It was imported from Pasadena, California in 1916 by an Australian Real Estate Agent who assembled it for show in the Sydney suburb of Roseberry. It caught on rapidly and was so popular that not many other styles were built in the 1920s.

via Real Estate View

It even underwent regional adaptations being built in local red brick in Melbourne, local liver- coloured brick in Sydney, and limestone in South Australia. The Queensland version was elevated and made from timber and galvanised iron roofing.

They were typically of sound and solid construction. They were often built of rustic materials including rough-hewn sandstone, heavy timber, and wood shingles. The roofs were low pitched with two or three asymmetrical gables with pillars supporting the front verandah. They were generally positioned on a good-sized block with a large backyard and usually had room for a driveway and garage as cars were becoming more popular during the time of construction.

The attractive brickwork at the front often changed to common brick - which was cheaper - down the sides and to the rear of the house. On the inside, the floor plan was more open than the Victorian and Federation homes which came before.

They are ripe for renovating, as they are usually close to public transport within a relatively short distance from the capital cities. Families tend to add another level either into the roofline or on-top in the southern states, or build in underneath in the north. The back of the house can fairly easily be extended to take further advantage or the indoor/outdoor living and create open-plan family areas. Usually the many period features such as exposed beams, leadlight windows, and ornate ceilings are retained.

If you would like assistance with renovating your Californian Bungalow, contact us for a consultation.