Gadigal people of the Eora Nation
NSW
Studio Johnston’s transformation of the Balmain East House reimagines a 2006-built waterfront residence into a tactile, adaptable family home. The design centres on enhancing the home’s functionality, connectivity, and warmth while celebrating its stunning harbor views. A key intervention was infilling a void between the kitchen and rear living space, creating a seamless flow anchored by a custom tallowwood ceiling and forest green marble finishes. Floor-to-ceiling Kazimir windows frame uninterrupted water vistas, while curved bulkheads soften the once-angular geometry. The ground floor was reconfigured into a flexible, self-contained apartment with a kitchen/ dining/ living area, three bedrooms, bathrooms, and a second study, future-proofing the home for multigenerational living with this self-contained guest level. Sustainability was integral, with double glazing, rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting, and repurposed materials. Balancing vibrant aesthetics with practicality, the renovation delivers a timeless, joyful home that evolves alongside its inhabitants.
“My favourite feature is the banquette. It’s absolutely brilliant and we dine there as a family every night. And the downstairs terrace, once underutilised, is a comfortable space, plus the pizza oven gets a lot of use; I recently used it to cook for about 20 people!”