Glory Days Restoring an 1850s terrace was a labour of love for its architect owner.
Thoughtfully revitalised and expanded by its architect owner, this former boarding house in inner Sydney is set to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Sydney’sinnercityiswellknown for its genteel 19th-century townhouses and terraces, many of which have been beautifully restored and/or expanded to suit the lifestyle of21st-century occupants.This 1885 freestanding terrace, the home of architect Joe Agius of Cox Architecture, is aprimeexampleofthevalueofrestoration.
Today, the house looks as lovely as the day it was completed – perhaps even more so. But it wasn’t always the case. “When it was built, the house faced a park and would have enjoyed unimpeded views of the nearby bay,” says Joe. While the bay views have since been built out, the surroundings remain part of the home’s appeal. But the structure itselfhad become something of a monster over the years. “Like quite a few homes in the area, it was unsympathetically extended in the interwar period and subsequently converted into a boarding house,” he says.
Many would have put the project in the too-hard basket, but Joe, his wife Kate and their two sons, Miles, 18, and Rueben, 16,wereupforthechallenge.Determined that the house should have longevity and work well for everyone, they spent more than a year thrashing out ideas together before embarking on any work.
The first step in converting the boarding house back into a family home was demolishing the existing extension and stripping the structure back to its original state. Happily, removing the partition walls and false ceilings uncovered some period details,
“THE HOUSE HAD PLENTY OF POTENTIAL, BUT RESTORING A HOME ON THIS SCALE WAS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE .” Joe Agius, owner and architect
“HAVING A CENTRAL COURTYARD DRAWS NATURAL LIGHT INTO THE SURROUNDING ROOMS, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AND ADDING TO THE HOME’ S OVERALL ENERGY EFFICIENCY .” Joe
such as pressed-metal ceiling sin the dining area and main bedroom. There was some disappointment, however, when it was discovered that heritage elements, like the balcony’s iron lace, had been lost.
The next stage of the project was re working the floor plan. Joe’s thoughtful design has delivered a home that is ideal for a family with young-adult children. Formerly an awkward collection of disjointed rooms, the layout is now open and fluid, allowing every nook to be used to its full potential .“We were very conscious of both sustainability and protecting the home’s heritage,” says Joe. “We retained the sand stone footings and as much of the original brick as possible. Although there’s lots of glass, the house is very efficient to operate due to deep overhangs and external shading, as well as recycled timber and concrete flooring in the link, which capture sand stores warmth from the sun.” Each room is designed with good cross-ventilation for natural thermoregulation, there is under-floor heating for when it gets chilly, and a solar-power array on the flat roof of the extension.
The original structure contains separate living and dining areas at ground level, with the main bedroom and home office/ guestroom on the first floor. An ensuite bathroom is shared by both rooms, with a cavity sliding door separating the vanity from the toilet and bathing zone. “This arrangement allows two people to share the space without compromising privacy,” says Joe. The boys’ bedrooms are located on the first floor of the extension, with the laundry and garage below. Linking old and new is an open-plan kitchen/family room and the internal courtyard.
Inspired by Moro cc anriads,t he courtyard is very much part of the living spaces thanks to 2.4-metre sliding glass panels that blur the boundary between indoors and out. “Having a central courtyard
“WE WERE VERY CONSCIOUS OF BOTH SUSTAINABILITY AND PROTECTING THE HOME’ S HERITAGE .” Joe
“THERE’ S A LOVELY SENSE OF CONNECTION WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE HOUSE .” Joe
draws natural light into the surrounding rooms, eliminating the need for artificial light and adding to the home’s overall energy efficiency,” says Joe.
Inside, the decor is modern yet timeless. The colour scheme is white, grey and black, warmed by colourful artworks, touches of timber and plywood joinery. Vintage design classics dominate the furnishings, among them Marcel Breuer ‘Wassily’ chairs and a Le Corbusier chaise that Joe bought as a gift to himself after winning an architecture prize. These elegant 20thcentury pieces help smooth the transition between architectural eras.
Now complete, the family can relax and enjoy the fruit of their labour. “It turned out beautifully,” says Joe. “I’d have to say the courtyard is our favourite space–it’ s the pivot point for the whole layout. It’s an evolving landscape that is open to the sun, and provides a lovely sense of connection wherever you are in the house.”