CLIENT BRIEF

​A small traditional dilapidated weatherboard cottage in Leichhardt Sydney was restored and a major addition was added at the back which resulted in a large spatially dynamic four bedroom comfortable home with traditional details. The heritage rules in Leichhardt are strict but the owners wanted to respect the front cottage and to minimise impact on neighbours.

​​

DESIGN SOLUTION

We carefully designed a two story house which is split level and works with the slope of the land so that you can't see the large addition from the front. The kitchen has a double height wood panelled ceiling making it truly the heart of the home. The living area was deliberately designed to be separated when desired using huge glass sliding doors. The study also has sliding doors to hide it. We, in collaboration with the owners, picked up the nicest heritage details and reused them in the new extension. These include art deco architraves, timber interior paneling, weatherboards and large format wall panelling and ceiling paneling. There is a large outdoor room containing a built in BBQ and a car space that doubles as lawn with the use of structural grass. The use of thermal mass, careful placement of windows, insulation and Solar PV panels results in a low environmental impact house.