Gadigal People of the Eora Nation
NSW
Set within the Heritage Conservation area of Potts Point, Sydney, this project is the renovation of an original sandstone terrace house built in 1863. The brief was to create a more appropriate entry to the house, open the living spaces to the rear courtyard, extend the existing small attic and add an additional bathroom.
The new work is expressed as a three storey steel clad tower, with steel framed windows and sun hoods, while the original sandstone and timber framed windows and doors have been retained. Central to the new work is a steel and timber stair surmounted by a large skylight to allow deep solar penetration to the formerly dark interior. A three storey glazed link separates the new tower from the original house with existing openings used to connect old to new, with the original exterior sandstone retained and expressed as portals on the interior.
A wonderfully colourful evolution of a typical inner-city sandstone terrace, this home has lived many lives; surviving a series of additions, subtractions, and reconfigurations since the 1860s. It represents an elegant and sophisticated response to a challenging urban site – one that was both logistically constrained and treated with the utmost respect for its heritage significance.
True to its name, this “back-to-front” house has been internally reoriented to face the rear laneway, the result of a historical subdivision on the site. The reconfiguration makes full use of every available space, with particular attention to the spatial flexibility of the entry courtyard, which can be integrated with the kitchen to expand the living area when needed.
This thoughtful approach to compact urban living is paired with clean, crisp interiors that complement the dwelling’s enduring character. Impeccably crafted architectural details are executed with exceptional precision and care.
A central skylight and strategically placed windows throughout the three-storey terrace flood the interior with natural light and enable cross-ventilation across all living quarters, creating both serenity and spaciousness.
Being a terrace house in a high-density area, we love how the substantial increase in natural light and cross ventilation has made the space feel much more open and connected to the outdoors. What was once a narrow, underwhelming entrance is now a welcoming and inviting space. The charm of the home’s historic features has been thoughtfully preserved, while modern living standards have been embraced, striking the perfect harmony between the past and the present. The spacious master bedroom, with its bright and airy atmosphere and ensuite bathroom, feels like a true private escape, occupying the entire third level.
Ian Moore, Design Architect
Rocio Mazon, Project Architect
Danny Mathis, Graduate of Architecture
Jessica Van-Young, Graduate of Architecture
Sophie Wruck, Graduate of Architecture
Cantilever Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
Outdoor Establishments, Landscape Consultant
Zoltan Kovacs Architect, Heritage Consultant
KN Planning, Planning Consultant
JK Geotechnics, Geotechnical Consultant
Australian Certifying Group, Building Surveyor
Tess Strelein, Stylist
Clinton Weaver, Photographer