Home tour: A beautiful historic house along Sydney Harbour with a dual concept

This notable abode was one of the first houses built along its street, and is listed on the city’s heritage register. Originally a four-room cottage, the house was first constructed on a steep waterfront site in 1881, and built using sandstone quarried locally. In its past lives during the 20th century, various extensions were incorporated into the house, but these presented a mishmash of styles that lacked a sense of visual cohesion.

So, the architects sought to restore design unity to the property by removing the previous alterations and incorporating a harbour-facing extension that would carefully harmonise elements of the old and the new. The addition cascades over four levels and is integrated into the sandstone bedrock of the house.

“Often, clients see heritage as a constraint, but we see it as a wonderful opportunity to design a home that is both respectful to the original heritage, and of the same design quality,” says Peake, commenting on the design intent. “We wanted to create something remarkable that would aim to match the design quality and longevity of the original sandstone cottage.”

Carter Williamson Architects sought to highlight the building’s historical roots, while highlighting its connection to nature and the dramatic views of Sydney Harbour. “[To us] Australian design means an understanding of context, and a connection to place and the environment,” says Peake. “From the moment the front door is opened at Wurrungwuri, a view is provided through the home all the way to the harbour. Upon entry, the specific qualities of this place are shown within the architecture. The view provides glimpses of the water shimmering, or a yacht passing by.”

To create that wonderful design unity within the interior and exterior, the practice teamed up with Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture to create outdoor spaces that blur the boundaries between the interior and the exterior. The outdoor spaces are designed to provide different types of access to the natural environment from each level of the home, while providing smaller, cosier spaces suitable for a morning cup of tea and ways to enjoy life en plein air. “The landscaping elements and the seamless design inside and out form a large part of this project,” shares Peake.

A light-filled cylindrical staircase stands at the heart of the house, and is built with tessellated white bricks. It leads up to an expansive rooftop terrace that looks out to views of the harbour and beyond. This architectural feature is just one of many highlights of the project which are a treat to see and experience.

The architect notes a particular indoor scene that he enjoys, which embodies that lovely interplay of light and spatial depth that the team has achieved. “There is a moment in the home where the various voids are all visible. The void of the dining room creates a double- height space that holds the room. The teardrop void connects the cabana and the kitchen, while the central interstitial void between the two bedrooms provides the water views and welcomes sunlight deep into the plan.”

All the furnishings were carefully chosen to draw attention to both the proportion of items and artworks in each space, while creating a sensory experience through the mix of textures. “We look for timelessness and impact when selecting furniture. This is evident at Wurrungwuri, where we had the opportunity for a custom dining table by Australian designer Adam Goodrum, which sits under the impressive Tom Dixon chandelier, all held together by the oculus skylight at the top of the 6.5m-high room,” shares Peake.

Any visitor to the home would marvel not only at its architectural design, but also the dynamic variety of art throughout the interior. These include psychedelic works by Australian artists Joshua Yeldham and Del Kathryn Barton, Bondi-based sculptor Dion Horstmans’ memorable metal pieces, and New Zealand artist Euan Macleod’s expressive paintings. In particular, English painter Bridget Riley’s print, Fragment 3, forms the focal point at the nexus of the home that connects the original cottage to its modern extension.

Adds Peake: “Wurrungwuri is a house designed to celebrate our clients’ art collection. They wanted the home to be an extension of this, and be a work of art itself. We have spaces designed for particular works of art, and also the flexibility of integrated art rails so new pieces can be added and arranged without damaging the beautifully rendered white walls.”

Last Christmas, the clients celebrated the occasion with a bang by hosting friends and family at a lively house party. The architects, of course, were also invited; Peake and his team were thrilled to see how the various spaces in the home were being used to great effect and enjoyment by the family and all of the guests in attendance. “We could see the home being used in the way we had all imagined during the design process: generous, playful, and connected to the natural environment,” declares Peake.

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