Project Of The Week
Architecture
Renovating
Paddo Terrace: From Dark, Skinny and Rundown to a Modern Stunner
What to do with a light-starved, 3.5-metre wide Victorian terrace? Go up and out, according to this architect
In this Q&A series, we turn the spotlight on one thought-provoking renovation each week. Here, Luke Carter, director and architect at Sandbox Studio, reveals the ingenious steps he took to add light, space and flow to a narrow and rundown Victorian terrace.
What was the house like originally?
A classic two-storey Victorian terrace in a dilapidated condition, with an existing dunny/outhouse to the rear.
Ready to start your own renovation? Find a local architect on Houzz to help make it happen
A classic two-storey Victorian terrace in a dilapidated condition, with an existing dunny/outhouse to the rear.
Ready to start your own renovation? Find a local architect on Houzz to help make it happen
The rear of the house before works
What wasn’t working for the client about the house?
What wasn’t working for the client about the house?
- The tiny kitchen.
- The bathroom was accessed directly off the kitchen.
- Being a terrace and attached on both sides, there were no side windows, so it was very dark.
- No clear connection to the rear garden/courtyard (which was just a brick-paved space).
- The biggest challenge with the existing terrace was that it was very narrow, dark and dilapidated. The original house was similar in size to a small two-bedroom apartment.
The interior before works
Gained
Gained
- A new open-plan kitchen, dining space and courtyard were the main focus of the design as the clients love to cook and entertain family and friends.
- The living room is at the front of the house, with the staircase, WC and laundry providing a partial separation from the kitchen and dining area in the new rear extension.
- The high ceiling creates volume and spaciousness, and a high-level window and operable skylights bring northern light deep into the kitchen, which filters into the living room.
- Large bi-fold doors open onto a sunny, new courtyard.
- A new studio with a bedroom and bathroom that gives the client separate yet connected space for overseas guests to stay.
- Restoration to the front facade with tessellated tiles on the front porch and plantation shutters to the interior to enhance the home’s heritage character.
The floor plans after works
Brief
The clients engaged us to transform their rundown Victorian terrace into a modern home, increasing the space and natural light and restoring its heritage character.
Brief
The clients engaged us to transform their rundown Victorian terrace into a modern home, increasing the space and natural light and restoring its heritage character.
What were the client’s must-haves?
- Additional space.
- Natural light.
- Modernising the house while retaining its heritage character.
- A rear studio to be used as guest accommodation or a home office.
What exactly did you do?
- Restored and refurbished the entire house.
- Opened up the ground floor.
- Put in a new rear addition housing an open-plan kitchen/dining room with high ceilings and windows that fill the interior with natural light.
- Replaced the brick paving in the courtyard with decking and landscaping.
- Replaced the old staircase with a new one in solid timber.
- Turned the unused attic space into an additional bedroom/ study.
- Added a new studio with a bedroom and bathroom to the rear of the courtyard.
- Turned the original rear-facing bedroom on the first floor into a bathroom.
Two large operable skylights over the kitchen and dining areas maximise natural light and ventilation
What was the budget?
Around $550,000.
Where did most of it go?
On structural and rectification/restoration work.
What was the budget?
Around $550,000.
Where did most of it go?
On structural and rectification/restoration work.
What specific challenges did the narrow site present?
A narrow site brings building challenges, mainly due to access and the ability to bring materials in and out of the site.
Design-wise, the challenge of a narrow site is trying to create a feeling of space and openness through decluttering the floor plan. High ceilings and natural light also help improve this.
A narrow site brings building challenges, mainly due to access and the ability to bring materials in and out of the site.
Design-wise, the challenge of a narrow site is trying to create a feeling of space and openness through decluttering the floor plan. High ceilings and natural light also help improve this.
How did you address the ‘skinny issue’ in the design?
The open, straight staircase design reduces visual bulk within the space.
Light, bright timbers and finishes help create a feeling of space, as does natural light.
The island bench is very narrow to allow sufficient circulation space around it. The island bench also creates an additional seating area, and a kitchen prep space.
The open, straight staircase design reduces visual bulk within the space.
Light, bright timbers and finishes help create a feeling of space, as does natural light.
The island bench is very narrow to allow sufficient circulation space around it. The island bench also creates an additional seating area, and a kitchen prep space.
The tall kitchen cabinets allow for more storage while not taking up more floor space.
A mirrored kitchen splashback visually enhances the sense of space, while creating a minimalist, modern aesthetic.
A mirrored kitchen splashback visually enhances the sense of space, while creating a minimalist, modern aesthetic.
Why did you expose the original brick wall?
To add texture and celebrate the home’s original character.
To add texture and celebrate the home’s original character.
Tell us about the new outdoor terrace
The existing rear yard was paved with brick. We replaced it with a deck to accommodate a table and chairs, a barbecue and some greenery, including a feature deciduous tree.
The existing rear yard was paved with brick. We replaced it with a deck to accommodate a table and chairs, a barbecue and some greenery, including a feature deciduous tree.
What challenges did you have to work around during this project?
With a site width of only 3.5 metres, creating space was the biggest challenge.
With a site width of only 3.5 metres, creating space was the biggest challenge.
How does the new work address the challenges identified above?
The new works aimed to increase the useable floor area, bring in as much natural light as possible, and connect the house to the courtyard.
The new works aimed to increase the useable floor area, bring in as much natural light as possible, and connect the house to the courtyard.
The new rear studio
Were there any heritage restrictions?
Yes. The property is located in a heritage conservation area, which means we were limited and had to go through a very thorough and lengthy development application process.
Were there any heritage restrictions?
Yes. The property is located in a heritage conservation area, which means we were limited and had to go through a very thorough and lengthy development application process.
How did you make the middle of the house feel so bright and open?
The high ceiling of the new addition creates volume and spaciousness, and a high-level window and operable skylights bring northern light deep into the kitchen, filtering into the living room.
The high ceiling of the new addition creates volume and spaciousness, and a high-level window and operable skylights bring northern light deep into the kitchen, filtering into the living room.
Tell us about the colour and materials palette
The clean and minimal white colour palette keeps the house light and bright, with plants and furniture adding vibrant, natural colour.
The clean and minimal white colour palette keeps the house light and bright, with plants and furniture adding vibrant, natural colour.
The refurbished attic
Why do you think the house works so well now?
Paddo Terrace is now a light-filled modern family home, with a sense of spaciousness beyond its small footprint.
By co-creating with the clients, we designed a house that supports their lifestyle and aspirations and is sympathetic to the Victorian-era architecture and streetscape.
Why do you think the house works so well now?
Paddo Terrace is now a light-filled modern family home, with a sense of spaciousness beyond its small footprint.
By co-creating with the clients, we designed a house that supports their lifestyle and aspirations and is sympathetic to the Victorian-era architecture and streetscape.
Key features
- Heritage character.
- Statement timber staircase.
- Clever use of limited space.
- Sunny courtyard garden with decking.
- An abundance of natural light within a traditionally dark terrace house.
Key design aspects
Interior materials palette
Interior materials palette
- Solid Victorian ash staircase.
- Nash Timbers timber flooring.
- Olde English Tiles tessellated porch tiles to the entrance.
- Caesarstone kitchen benchtops.
View towards the refurbished attic at the rear of the house with its charming dormer window
Your turn
Which feature do you love most in this redesign? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more ideas for a heritage home renovation? Don’t miss this story – King Bill: A Family’s Forever Home That Brings Joy to the ’Hood
Your turn
Which feature do you love most in this redesign? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more ideas for a heritage home renovation? Don’t miss this story – King Bill: A Family’s Forever Home That Brings Joy to the ’Hood
Answers by Luke Carter, director and architect at Sandbox Studio
Who lives here: A young couple and their dog Maggie
Location: Paddington, NSW
Original house size: 52 square metres
Size after works: 92 square metres
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms originally: Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms after works: Three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
How many storeys before works: Two
How many storeys after works: Three, including the renovated attic
Budget: Approximately $550,000
Architect and interior designer: Sandbox Studio
Builder: Ryan Jones Building Co
Structural engineer: Ross Engineers
Stylist: Megan Morton