Time traveller 1866 sandstone terrace updated

Much admired for their traditional character, sandstone terraces can require a fair bit of lateral thinking by architects to make them work for modern lifestyles.

This quaint terrace is a case in point. Built in 1866, the former worker's cottage is only 3.7m wide, but it is one of the oldest and finest examples of a sandstone terrace in Sydney, says architect David Sutherland of TKD Architects.

"The interior, however, was in need of major repair," he says. "There were three original rooms, all in a very run-down condition, and a 1980s extension at the back that was in such a poor state, the entire thing had to come down."

Leaving the front facade untouched, apart from new landscaping, the design team gutted the interior, leaving just a wall facing the street, two side walls and a roof.

The house was then rebuilt to incorporate a new extension at the rear. The original sandstone walls remain exposed on the interior a feature enhanced by the use of a shadowline that makes the ceiling appear to float between the high walls.

"To maximise space and functionality, we introduced a central core, which we wrapped in American white oak," says the architect. "This is a multifunctional element that supports a home office on the side facing the living room. It also accommodates the stairwell, a laundry and powder room, and plenty of storage. Facing the rear, it forms part of the kitchen cabinetry, and conceals an integrated refrigerator."

Two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms were added to either end of the house on the upper level. A 1.7m indent in the building on this level left space for skylights above the main circulation area on the ground floor. Frosted windows and an additional long skylight above the stairs, allow natural light to penetrate right down through the stairwell, ensuring the long, narrow house feels light and airy, even in the centre.

Story by: Trendsideas