Understated from the street

Refreshing the traditional front facade, this renovation also extends and climbs with a contemporary, environment-sensitive two storey addition at rear

Classic climbs to contemporary at rear in this

The original Federation era cottage home remains as

The new kitchen with timber stairs alongside.

The double height rear extension opens up to

Display niche storage on the side of the

There is a feeling of balance throughout, allowing

A timber baton wall provides interest as well

Skylights add to the home's sense of lightness.

Top floor bedrooms. - Understated from the street

Crafted timber storage is a feature of the

Upper level circulation to bedrooms and bathroom.

Designed by Sandbox Studio

From the renovating architects:

Located in an increasingly densified area within Newtown, the inner west Sydney home weaves a series of additions in amongst the old.

Ensuring the new works are bedded in a sensitivity to context, an extensive study of the established built form and architectural urban language was undertaken, to ensure the response was conducive and appropriate.

Being surrounded by such an eclectic coming together of styles and architectural eras, the home needed to be anchored in place, and through the creation of a new sense of identity, the new home takes its own position.

The original Federation era cottage home remains as the face of the residence with its frontage restored to reinstate the original detail and ornateness carved within its masonry and timber elements.

As a semi-attached home, the maintaining of the rhythm of the streetscape was an integral consideration, with the more dramatic and transformational elements occurring beyond.

To the rear, an addition that spreads over multiple levels draws movement in through the main spine corridor of the home, and out into the lofted shared space.

Maintaining an openness throughout was key and formed the basis of how all the new elements intertwine within the home.

Expressing the home as a place of recharge and retreat, a palette of muted and neutral tones forms the base of the new work.

These introduced finishes and textures carry throughout between the old and new, binding the eras, yet letting their references to time remain in place.

Bringing in light through introduced light wells and an open approach ensures the existing formality and separation of the original home is funnelled through into a more connected liveability.

By integrating warming timber throughout, against the cooler whites and natural stone tones, there is a feeling of balance present throughout, allowing the cornicing and other plaster details to remain, while not dominating the home.

While the new multilevel addition sits to the rear of the original and main dwelling, addressing the diversity it sits amongst formed a core focus.

By articulating the new facade through breaking up the overall form, the use of timber cladding on the upper level allows the addition to feel like a lightweight form sitting on a masonry base.

The overall extended form is then further articulated through the introduction of a screen, allowing a control of solar and heat gains while at the same time adding interest and depth to the rear elevation.

Through a refinement of its parts – old and new – this dwelling is reborn as a refreshing and contemporary, light-filled home.