An inner-Sydney cottage morphs into a spacious family home.
A Sydney architect with a knack for reusing found objects took an inner-city worker’s cottage and elevated it into a versatile home very much at one with nature.
Bowerbirds are known for building beautiful, intricate bowers, collecting found objects to attract a mate. Architect Terry Bail was already married with a young child when he bought this cottage in Sydney’s inner west in 2000. But his bowerbird tendencies have transformed this dwelling into a covetable nest for himself, his wife Mel and their daughter Anika, now 18.
Soon after purchase, the couple undertook some minor renovations in order to make the rundown worker’s cottage more habitable. Over the next decade, Terry collected all manner of objects and materials – architectural hardware salvaged from projects he was working on, furniture and lighting from kerbside collections, even plants clients no longer wanted – while he planned stage two of the renovation.
“I’ve always loved making things,” says Terry. “I recycle and upcycle, I stockpile timber, I move windows from one house to another. I do it partly for the cost benefit but also to keep materials out of landfill.”
By 2011, Terry and Mel were ready to begin a full-scale renovation. The rear of the cottage was demolished and the sloping site excavated to accommodate a two-storey extension, connected to the existing house by a split-level foyer. The main entrance was moved to the opposite side of the house to accommodate a small courtyard that doubles as a light well.
From the entry foyer, stairs lead up to the open-plan kitchen/dining/ living area and down to Anika’s bedroom and a sitting room that opens onto the rear courtyard. Across the courtyard is a double-height pavilion that houses a studio, bathroom and loft bedroom.
Along with recycled materials, Terry borrowed heavily from the surrounding landscape to bring sunlight, fresh air and views into the house. The main living area is at treetop height and has glass doors on two sides that open to a wraparound deck. These openings work in concert with clerestory windows above the kitchen to help breezes circulate through the home.
Terry says that every space and architectural intervention was designed to perform at least two functions, in order to make the most of the modest block without overwhelming it. “We squeezed as much as possible out of this site. And we managed to sneak it all in behind the ridge of the old cottage, so you can’t see it from the street. I would have loved to have included more garden space but it’s important to leave space free to allow vistas through the plants as well.”
For the most part, Mel and Anika were happy to leave the collecting, designing, repurposing and building to Terry, although Mel did allow herself one indulgence: an outdoor spa that the family use year-round. Terry says the best part of his thoughtful home is the upstairs living area. “I love sitting on the sofa and looking out at the trees, trees that have stood in this neighbourhood for decades, with the sound of birds and frogs in the background.” An urban bowerbird in tune with nature.
Archology, Marrickville, NSW; 0425 324 688 or archology.com.au.