Deepa & Paul’s House

Sydney, NSW, Australia - On Darug and Guringai Land

2023 Houses Awards - Alterations and Additions, below 200m2 - National - Shortlist

2023 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards - Shortlist

Deepa and Paul’s cottage was the old gate keepers house of the original wider estate. While the cottage remains, the estate has subsequently been sub-divided and developed over the 120years. The original cottage has been victim to neglect and a series of questionable improvements through the course of its life. It was in poor condition generally and had a literal lean-too extension that was actually falling away from the building. This, along with other changes, eroded the logic and simplicity of the original cottage’s plan and form.

The new work undoes the questionable recent history giving the home a new life into the future. A future that respects its original heritage fabric and context. Our only design restriction was the house had to have a single floor level. The original floor level had a tricky connection with the natural ground level. We also strongly advocated to retain the original house in opposition to the ‘knock down, rebuild’ culture of the area, especially on this highly trafficked corner site.

The relationship between old and new is acknowledged in both the formal composition of the home and the internal detailing. Formally, the new addition mimics the gable pattern of the cottage and seamlessly integrates into it. The expression is purposefully contemporary, but not contrasting. The new modern gable in addition to mimicking the original heights is then adapted to suit site conditions, privacy, and control of western sun. The roof continues down to a low rear elevation. The rear elevation doors are purposefully low & deep at the threshold to both control western sun and privacy but also a device to deal with the clients resistance to stepping the internal floor level closer to the backyard. It also gives the elevation and interior space depth and shadow, not typical on traditional bungalows.

The interior spaces have a generosity and benefit through actively borrowing external views beyond the restrictive site. Interior detailing is purposefully restrained to suit the budget and relies on alignments, play on light and spatial experience to elevate it beyond it’s parts. There are motifs carried over from the original house at thresholds and door heights

Builder: Armstrong Residential

Engineer: SDA Structures

Photographer: Clinton Weaver