Sydney property prices at an all time high and living space in the inner Eastern Suburbs is very limited. Benn + Penna Architecture have maximised the living space of this Eastern Sydney terrace house.
In the Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, there are some beautiful examples of Victorian terrace houses. The problem with these homes is that they are long, skinny blocks of land. They were built in the European style, attached to each other on both sides, so only windows front and back to let in light. The result is that these terrace houses, while quaint, living space tends to be dark and cramped.
“The brief was to transform a previously introverted and dilapidated terrace house into one that is spacious and full of light… The client requested seamless connections between kitchen, living and dining spaces, as well as to the garden space at the rear of the property.” the architects told Dezeen.
The Indoor Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area
The back of the residence was extended and the back wall on the ground floor was demolished. Benn + Penna Architecture extended the back living space of the home and created an open plan kitchen and living area with glass doors to a courtyard The effect was to bring the outside in and the inside out, blurring the line between the courtyard and the kitchen with long cabinets extending into the courtyard, including the Aussie essential, a barbeque.
At the end of the courtyard, the counter top level is lowered turns into a sitting bench that faces into the kitchen. There are white mosaic tiles on the back wall to reflect the light back into the home.
Empasis on “Light”
With an emphasis on making the living space of the interior look larger, light coloured materials are used through the renovation, with pale wood on the floors, white walls and leaving the brickwork of the neighbour’s homes exposed.
“The pared back and understated interior is designed to foreground the rich texture of Surry Hills brickwork surrounding the site,” said the architects.
“Materials are used to strategically amplify the presence of light inside the house,” they continued. “Pale timber is used to create a sense of lightness in the space.” – Deezeen
The traditional Victoria terrace staircase has been replaced by white steel staircase, with a large skylight to allow the light into the heart of the home.
Sources: deezeen / bennandpenna.com
