Before renovation, the residence was a cramped, 2-bedroom timber terrace sited on an escarpment overlooking Cameron’s Cove, Balmain. The location of stairs and bathroom effectively cut the living spaces off from the potential views and gave the interior a claustrophobic feel. The brief – to create an open-plan living area relating to the outdoors, to add an office/study and a contemporary bathroom and kitchen – required a virtual rebuilding of the home, retaining only three external walls of the original. Now, from a modest and traditional terrace facade, the interior opens both horizontally and vertically to vistas of water, trees and sky. A through-the-house lightwell brings brightness to the bathroom, relocated in the center of the building.

Full height sliders give an indoor/outdoor feel to the kitchen, bedrooms and study, which is reached by a raised “bridge” from a small landing to give a sense of separation between workspace and home. Windows have been relocated to capture especially precious mini-views; the parabolas of the Anzac Bridge, the twist of a gum tree bough. Small areas of intense color – a Pilbarra-red glass splashback, an aubergine window seat, fuscia bathroom tiles -draw the eye through what is now a bright jewel-box of a home, in which every centimeter is maximised for use and pleasure.

Awards:
RAIA Commendation for Single and Multiple Housing 2003.