Spanning the divide
Luigi Rosselli Architects
A central kitchen island bridges living and dining zones in this luminous transformation.
A sophisticated central kitchen island bridges living and dining zones in this luminous transformation of a terrace house in Sydney’s east.
01 In this terraced house, living spaces are staggered down the sloping site. A centralized kitchen island shifts in height and function according to floor level.
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Steep stairs, small rooms and dark, windowless spaces: such is the list of common complaints levelled at terrace houses. And yet, in spite of these problems – not to mention the heritage overlays that often preclude alterations to its external appearance – the humble terrace has evolved into a desirable housing typology in now-affluent inner-city locations. As a result, Australian cities have many examples of projects that cleverly circumvent the narrow, often light-starved terrace layout.
For Luigi Rosselli Architects, redesigning this particular terrace in Sydney’s Woollahra was akin to a game of Tetris. The original house was a 1950s terrace, free of heritage constraints, lending the architects more freedom to reconsider the exterior shell of the building. Nonetheless, the narrow and sloping site conditions remained, as did the house’s preserved Victorian neighbours, and so project architect Sean Johnson and design architect Luigi Rosselli opted for an exterior that would be sympathetic to context while belying a clever internal organization inspired by Adolf Loos’s Raumplan – a planning approach that staggers rooms to separate functions.
Within, the townhouse has been deconstructed into a series of interlocking spaces. The plan shifts from three levels at the front to two larger-height levels at the rear, maximizing living space and resolving the uneven heights of the front and rear gardens. Living, dining and kitchen areas occupy the lowest level, with a subtle shift in floor height segregating the functions without visually truncating views through the house. The kitchen, at the centre of
the space, is the connection between the dining and living zones. A central island bridges the step in level, serving as a kitchen bench at one end and a console or coffee table at the other. Judicious planning sequesters much of the kitchen behind streamlined white cupboards, while a return in the cabinetry near the front door frames the entry, provides ample storage on both sides and includes a peekaboo window that allows the cook to see arriving visitors.
Cohesive materials throughout foster a feeling of generosity. V-joint timber panelling below a datum line unites the kitchen and dining area and matches the tones of the floor, creating the illusion of a wider room. A stair balustrade in fishscale pattern allows light to filter down from a void above, its brass finish in keeping with fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms. Arabescato marble on the island and splashback adds visual richness to an otherwise restrained palette.
Spatial efficiency has been paramount. A built-in banquette in the dining area conserves space, while a powder room has been inserted into the under-stair cavity on the ground level. An arched door sits flush with the wall and opens to reveal a cozy space with a curving, timber-lined ceiling.
The main suite is accommodated on the uppermost level. A curve in the ensuite ceiling reveals the profile of the external roof, emphasized by the contrast of black slate tiles against white walls. Windows behind the vanity admit generous natural light. An operable skylight above the shower preserves modesty and offers efficient ventilation.
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04 An operable skylight above the shower provides light and ventilation, while black slate accentuates the curved roof.
05 In the ensuite, the vanity is positioned in front of the large window to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
06 A powder room is tucked into the understair cavity. The lack of a doorframe allows the door to sit flush with the wall. Architect
Luigi Rosselli Architects 122 Buckingham Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
+61 2 9281 1498 info@luigirosselli.com luigirosselli.com
Project team
Sean Johnson, Luigi Rosselli
Builder
Building With Options
Consultants
Joinery: Kitchen Trend Lighting: Tangent Lights Interiors: Sean Johnson with client Kitchen products
Internal walls: Painted in Dulux ‘Lexicon Quarter’; Arabescato marble splashback from FGA Granite and Marble
Flooring: Tongue N Groove Flooring Grande Eterno engineered timber boards in ‘Hekke’; original timber floorboards
Joinery: Custom joinery in high moisture resistant particleboard with melamine finished, designed by the architect and manufactured by Kitchen Trend
Lighting: Architectural lighting from Tangent Lights Sinks and tapware: Vola mixer in brass; Oliveri Spectra gold basin
Appliances: Smeg Classic five-burner gas cooktop and integrated dishwasher; Miele pyrolytic oven, steam oven and microwave; Qasair Executive rangehood; Liebherr Premium Plus fridge Furniture: Artek furniture from Anibou Bathroom products Internal walls: Montauk black honed slate from Bisanna Tiles; Unicolore Bianco Assoluto Naturale tiles from Bisanna Tiles Flooring: Montauk black honed slate from Bisanna Tiles
Joinery: Custom American oak vanity designed by project architect Sean Johnson, constructed by Kitchen Trend; Arabescato marble benchtop from FGA Granite and Marble; Häfele brass drawer handles Lighting: Davey Lighting Norfolk Bulkhead wall lights; architectural lighting from Tangent Lights
Tapware and fittings: Brodware mixers and shower set
Sanitaryware: Parisi Slim basin and Elisse toilet; Kaldewei Classic Duo bath Other: Brodware toilet paper holder, towel rail and robe hook