Sam Crawford Architects (SCA) has transformed a free-standing double-fronted split-level 1980s terrace in urban Sydney and opened it up to the rear north-facing yard, embracing the sky and drawing light deep into the center of the home.

“Our client’s brief was to take the existing house, which had great bones but dark internal rooms, and re-configure it to be a contemporary light-filled series of spaces, passively heated and cooled,” said Sam Crawford, director at SCA. “The house is in a heritage conservation zone, so we needed to develop a contemporary language that sits comfortably within the context.”

On entering through a central front door, an inviting, open, white steel-framed stair leads up and down, giving glimpses to the roof garden above and the living areas below. It replaces a solid timber stair that blocked light. An enlarged skylight above illuminates the center of the house and enlarges the sense of space. In the downstairs living area, the new curved concrete ceiling sweeps upwards, allowing winter sun and providing summer shade. It draws the eye up and out, expanding the new space into the surrounding area and opening up expansive sky and district views. A four-and-a-half-meter wall of glass maximizes the connection with the sun-drenched courtyard garden and a north orientation, with its clerestory windows allowing natural ventilation.

The concrete ceiling forms the sloped roof garden and open terrace to the main bedroom above. An existing ensuite was raised and moved forward to sit within the new roof garden. The owners can bathe amidst the plants in complete privacy with vistas, thanks to the angled timber screens and plantings. Entries to the lower level laundry and bathroom, originally off the living areas, were relocated to the new stairwell wall. Natural light is brought into these spaces through sculptural skylights, made possible by the changed ceiling heights.

Restrained and earthy materials and palette flow throughout the home, exuding a sense of calm. Pale eucalyptus-green square tiles in a mix and match of matt and gloss together with spotted gum joinery appear in the kitchen and bathrooms. Limestone floor pavers continue from the living space into the back garden, extending the entertainment areas. Curvilinear geometry reappears in the kitchen island and splash back, bathroom vanities, cupboards and door handles, and shower recesses. Clever storage is embedded throughout. SCA did landscape design and plant selection in conjunction with Fytogreen. Native plantings and seasonal flowers add to the biodiversity, attracting pollinators and birds.

“Our clients wanted to live without air conditioning. We carefully calibrated solar control and high-level cross ventilation, with new double glazing and insulation, to minimize additional heating and cooling requirements. The hydronic underfloor heating system is only used occasionally and, thanks to the solar system and battery, their power consumption is greatly reduced,” said Crawford.

-

-

-

-

-