Gadigal and Birrabirragal people of the Eora Nation
NSW
This contemporary home sits behind a modest Neo-Georgian façade in Woollahra Village, complementing the adjoining terrace houses. The design divides the house into two parts, around a central courtyard with a mature Chinese elm.
Returning to Sydney after years abroad, the owners sought a compact, light-filled home. They chose a two-story design instead of the permitted three to maximise natural light, addressing the site’s east-west orientation and neighboring terraces.
A private library leads to the open living, dining, and kitchen areas, which extend to the courtyard. Upstairs, two ensuite bedrooms feature skillion roofs, skylights, and a central stair with floating treads and light-filtering panels.
The palette is timeless, with oak skylights and joinery, travertine flooring, and lime-plastered walls. Handmade bricks define the courtyard, which was raised to preserve the elm tree. A self-contained studio above the garage, clad in zinc and steel, completes the home.
It was especially important for us that the layout and design of our property were in keeping with both our current and future needs.
Light is at a premium in terraced properties and the perception of space can be compromised by overbuilding. Tobias Partners’ redesign of a compact footprint ensures all areas have abundant natural light and offer a sense of spaciousness. We use every space for living, entertaining or working and those spaces are comfortably sufficient. The design also provides an unusual sense of privacy in an urban setting.
Overall, Tobias Partners’ design has achieved all that we hoped.
Matthew Krusin, Principal in charge – Design Lead & Project Lead
Amanda Clarke, Project Architect
Campbell Baird, Project Architect
Partridge, Structural Engineer
Myles Baldwin Design, Landscape Consultant
GSA Planning, Town Planner
Ruth Daniell, Heritage Consultant
Saltwater Joinery, Joinery
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
