Marrickville

Middle Street House

This extensive refurbishment of a nineteenth century workers cottage creates a spacious, light-filled interior within a compact footprint. The design responds to the narrow, sloping site by opening the house up towards the rear to embrace its elevated position.

A side entrance separates the existing bedrooms at the front of the house from the new L-shaped living area overlooking the backyard. The new space is at once open and intimate; with sliding glass doors leading out onto a raised deck in one corner while a recessed fireplace provides a cosy nook in the other. A striking angled roof lifts up to draw natural light into the interior and high level glazing captures framed views of the sky and surrounding tree canopies.

The fresh white palette creates a sense of spaciousness that is further enhanced by a mirrored splashback running along the eastern wall. Horizontal joinery extends from the kitchen into the dining area and wraps around the walls of the living room. A new bathroom, laundry and attic stairs are discreetly concealed behind a wall of inbuilt shelving in the kitchen. The new joinery extends into the existing bedrooms, with open shelving and a custom designed desk providing a pleasant study space at the front of the house.

Photos: Grant Sparkes-Carroll / @sparkescarroll

Builder: Southbourne Construction / @southbourneconstruction