Playhouse | Carter Williamson Architects

Playhouse | Carter Williamson Architects | Photographer: Pablo Veiga

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

Playhouse | Carter Williamson Architects

Traditional Land Owners

Wann and Gadi clans of the Eora nation

Year
2026
Chapter

New South Wales

Category
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Builder
MAKE Projects
Photographer
Pablo Veiga
Media summary

Playhouse is an alteration and addition to a Victorian corner terrace in Newtown that explores how domestic architecture can be both deeply private and openly civic. Defined by a striking double-height arched window, the home engages directly with the street, offering light, colour and generosity to the public realm while carefully maintaining privacy within.

Inside, a soaring central void draws daylight deep into the plan and connects living spaces across levels, creating a home organised around shared family life. Playful colour, tiled details and crafted openings reference Newtown’s creative culture and historic stained-glass terraces, interpreted in a contemporary way.

Thoughtful planning and custom joinery maximise space and flexibility, allowing rooms to adapt as family needs change. Supported by passive design strategies and rooftop solar, Playhouse demonstrates how carefully considered alterations can transform an existing terrace into a light-filled, adaptable home that contributes positively to its neighbourhood.

“Living in this house feels completely different now. The light, the colour and the way the spaces connect have changed how we spend time together as a family. It feels open and playful, but still private and calm when it needs to be. We love that the house engages with the street while still feeling like a sanctuary inside.The design supports our everyday family life beautifully and has given us a home that feels both special and practical as our needs continue to evolve.”

Project Practice Team

Shaun Carter, Design Architect
Julia English, Project Architect
Julie Niass, Director of Interiors
Samantha Kirby, Project Architect
Vivienne Hinschen, Project Architect

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Acoustic Consulting Engineers, Acoustic Consultant
S J Surveying Services Pty Ltd, Building Surveyor
Stellen Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Consultant
Rebal Engineering, Structural Engineer
Naturally Trees, Arborist
Damian O’Toole Town Planning, BASIX Consultant
Outhouse Design pty ltd, Landscape Consultant
Planning Ingenuity, Town Planner
Childs Property, Dilapidation Consultant
Claire Delman, Stylist

Connect with Carter Williamson Architects

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