In the heart of Annandale, this original workers cottage remained largely untouched as a single storey, one bedroom terrace, with external access to the bathroom/laundry. The brief was to create a functional and classic home that embraces contemporary style with open plan living. To make the most of the narrow 88sqm site a second storey addition was cleverly planned.  

Being in a heritage conservation area, the façade of the home was restored to be sympathetic to the surrounding area. A new zinc colourbond roof was installed, render work repaired, and new freeze and lacework installed. A dormer window was added for the second storey addition. Many of the charming original features were maintained throughout the entry and front sitting room, with decorative cornices installed, and the original fireplace refurbished as a feature.

Keeping only the façade, the entire rear of the existing home was stripped back to bare bones and redesigned to incorporate modern, open plan living with a sleek designer eat-in kitchen. The large bifold doors open onto a private merbau deck and landscaped courtyard, creating an emphasis on easy in/outdoor entertaining.

The Velux fixed skylight over the stairwell allows an abundance of natural light to filter into the living and kitchen spaces. This together with the use of Dulux Vivid White throughout creates the crisp, bright interior needed for this terrace given no side access and therefore windows.

The first-floor addition includes a master bedroom and walk in robe, with a gallery window to view the surrounding treetops. A second bedroom with dormer window has been added under the existing roofline of the home. The main bathroom has been cleverly designed to include all the necessities of a family bathroom at only 1.5m wide.

Other features of this home include, 140mm hardwood floors throughout, built in robes with ample storage, ducted air conditioning and hand glazed tiles in bathrooms and laundry.

One of the biggest challenges faced with this Inner West, Sydney project was the difficult access and restricted site area. With no side or rear access, excavation machinery needed to be taken through the narrow front door. With no space for storage, deliveries needed to be carefully co-ordinated and materials bought on site only as needed. In addition to this, the onsite retention system was required to be gravity fed to the street by incorporating a series of pipework. The challenge was achieving this in a concealed way by running the pipework through kitchen bulkheads and a concealed wall under the stairs.