20 Neutral St as the northern semi detached part of a stone terrace building built late 1800's. Henry Lawson the poet may have rented there for a period. The pair are heritage listed under North Sydney Council LEP as being of local significance. The first floor was a single residence of four rooms with verandahs to the front and rear. The kitchen and laundry were located off the rear verandah. Over time there were additions of a front stone wall to the street, stone walls and retaining walls forming an open carport The external stonework to the street and the north face was dressed and of good quality. The stonework to the Kitchen and the rear wall was of lesser quality. When not visible or covered the quality of the stonework dropped off significantly. The design parameter was to accommodate a young family, facilitate modern living and respect the heritage significance of the building. This required a number of key design decisions. The new Kitchen and Dining area was built as a modernist addition to the rear enclosing but expressing the earlier Kitchen. This area linked through large sliding glass doors to the external terrace. The terrace also formed the roof over the garage. The roof was kept back from the stone wall to the north to allow the play of light down the surface, giving strength to the wall. The expressed edge of the terrace aligned with the string course of faced stone at the first floor level. Resolving the vertical and horizontal

access routes through the building was a significant turning point in the design. After investigation of the foundation space under the Kitchen and the rear gallery the decision was made to construct the new stair within the existing Kitchen expressing the changes in quality of the stonework, leaving the wood fired fireplace and hearth. The stair was floated free of the walls to provide an up-light pelmet showcasing the stonework. The Foundation space at the ground floor had with some excavation enough room to accommodate a new Bathroom and powder room. The stone work changed within the space and the up-light pelmet was used to conceal the excavated rock faces and the services. The division wall between the spaces was kept free of the walls and the ceiling to allow an awareness of the continuity of the overall space. The first floor ensuite has been constructed within the Sitting Area. Importantly the fabric of the room has been retained, including the fireplace and mantle. The shower was built as a stainless steel base let into the floor to carry the two granite stepping stones and the glasswork. The existing walls forming the shower stall were sheeted in glass. The external stonework was refurbished, jointing replaced and windows added to the northern face for light and ventilation and to balance the façade. The exuberance of a stone wall and arched opening to the street was removed to bring back the prominence of the original building.