The Cammeraygal (or Gameraigal) people of the Eora Nation
New South Wales
Thomas House is the adaptive reuse and extension of a late nineteenth-century timber worker’s cottage in McMahons Point, reimagined as a multigenerational family home. Designed to bring four adults and four children together under one roof, the project balances family life with the careful custodianship of heritage.
Rather than dominating the streetscape, the new work is recessive. The original cottage remains the primary public presence, with reinstated proportions and fenestration reinforcing its contribution to the streetscape. A long vacant adjoining allotment is interpreted as a “missing tooth,” allowing new accommodation to be integrated while maintaining the established scale and rhythm of the street.
Living spaces open westward to capture harbour views, while a semi-subterranean parents’ retreat provides calm separation from family activity. Sustainability is embedded through Passive House principles, high-performance construction, hydronic heating, photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting and a green roof, extending the building’s life while significantly reducing energy use.
This house has become the heart of our family. With all of us living together, it feels busy and full of life, but also calm and comfortable. There are places where we can all gather, and quiet spaces where we can slow down and be alone. The light, the views and the connection to the garden make the house feel peaceful and welcoming. It holds our memories and things we’ve collected from many places. It feels very personal to us, and it brings our family together in the way we hoped for.