An 1860s workers’ cottage is reimagined with a dramatic rear addition, unseen from the preserved street frontage.
Beyond a polite weatherboard facade, its series of lofty, light-infused spaces unfold in contrast to the original
rooms. The rear facade is a tour de force of concrete banding with marble blades – a brise soleil - brilliantly opening
the house to light.
Information
Location
Balmain, NSW - Traditional Custodians: Wann Peoples
Completion
2010
Our Team
Shaun Carter
Patrick Fitzgerald
Lisa Merkesteyn
Collaborators
Engineering
Cardno
Landscape Architecture
Melissa Wilson Landscape Architects
Photography
Brett Boardman
Awards
NSW Architecture Awards, Small Projects
Commendation
The extension houses a new open-plan kitchen and living area, extending out into a private garden terrace. A light
well and two-storey void connects the old and new sections, signalling a tectonic shift in materials and spatial quality.
A timber staircase leads to new bedrooms and a mezzanine overlooking the living area. Beside it, a striking red-lacquered screen echoes the intricacy of the brise soleil.
The rear facade’s strong concrete banding is tempered with fixed louvres of marble that filter and attenuate north
sun in summer, while allowing it to penetrate deeply during winter.
