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in busy Down the road from Randwick is a collection of Federation-era two-storey houses made of brick, shingles, turned columns and ornate chimneys, each bearing the whims of its unique builder a century ago. One of these modest semi-detached houses has recently undergone a rather clever makeover.
The clients had lived in the house since 2007 and, while raising their three boys, had struggled with how to “stay put” while squeezing in more space. They appointed Anthony Gill Architects in 2017, and the studio’s proposals showcased possibilities hitherto unimaginable.
Practice Director Anthony Gill’s work is characterized by a gentle, persuasive technique. His solutions often involve the adaptation of existing buildings and spaces, employing minimal means to achieve solutions that are not only smart, but also pleasing to the eye. Whether transforming a small studio apartment, an underutilized warehouse or a basement corner dining space, his ingenious ideas and streamlined selection of common raw materials translate into a gorgeous whole.
This project is no exception. In the two front rooms one has no idea of the fun that lies ahead in the back part of the house. In addition to the original staircase leading to the upper level, a narrow mosaic-tiled bathroom with a curved shower is revealed. The original reed glass window remains in the shower room. The hall continues into the spacious and bright kitchen with a terrace below facing the rear garden.
Going down the new staircase next to the kitchen, one discovers a completely new space. The former storage room is now a powerful sitting area – a space for teenage friends to chat away from the bedrooms on the two floors above. Large picture windows and seating create a quiet place to read, while the rear door opens to a lush garden designed by Sue Barnsley Design. Long brick benches are set against an array of plants that provide different textures at different times of the year.
The rear facade of the house, seen from the garden, is equally modest and confident. The bagged gray brick wall aligns perfectly with the back wall of the adjacent house. A series of windows include those at garden (underground) level, covered with sliding timber screens; deep recesses to the ground floor kitchen terrace; and first floor windows, offset, with projecting steel frames. Basically invisible (from anywhere) is the surprising second floor.
The bedrooms are arranged on the first floor and the entire hall is lit by the large rear window. Technically the window is part of the bathroom, but the separate enclosures for the toilet and shower mean that the hall and basin area can remain open to each other. Three of the bedrooms are as expected, but the fourth bedroom has a surprise: wardrobe doors along a long wall conceal a staircase that leads to a small sleeping loft. This loft “pops out” as an occupied dormer window towards the rear of the original roof. Since neighboring houses are less than 2 meters away, the dormer window is largely invisible from the street – and certainly unnoticed. This is a clever way to make a small bedroom the most ideal space in the house.
A series of tweaks and careful extensions mean the clients now have four beautiful bedrooms, rather than two great rooms and a meager third. The configuration of the first floor bathroom allows for simultaneous use by multiple users, but this generous space was only possible because the clients were prepared to abandon the ensuite for their own bedroom. This is an example of how a pragmatic client can really help shape a good outcome (many parents hate the concept of sharing a bathroom with three teenage/adult sons).
The house doesn’t lack for luxury – solid wood floors and stairs, as well as thick marble countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, are solid finishes that will age well with daily use. Many of the details are calm and unassuming, providing a quiet backdrop to the client’s belongings and busy family life.
But true luxury comes from knowing there won’t be another space in the house – no opportunity is missed. All family members now have their own lounge space. There are three areas (plus gardens) where different groups can gather without disturbing each other. The house is suitable for large group gatherings and shared living, with a layout that promotes interaction.
The family believes that as the children grow older, there will always be room for them all, plus extra companions, on the dining table, on the patio and in the bedrooms. Likewise, when the younger generation moves out, the house will continue to serve the owners well as they traverse the floors and use most of the rooms on their daily rounds.
At Randwick House, Anthony worked hard to develop what seemed an enviably simple solution that would allow the family to live in a house they loved for decades to come. Densification in urban suburbs comes in many different forms, but Anthony’s model of “invisible density” in this particular project is admirable and will hopefully inspire many others to pursue similar solutions.
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