NSW Pattern Book
The NSW Pattern Book program selected eight architectural practices from around the world to design replicable housing for rollout across the state. NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as “a practical step to make the housing system fairer”
Our Pattern envisions a system of small-scale, mews-like row housing on single lots. Users can select different-sized modules within the Row Homes range to suit their unique brief and the specific conditions of each site.
The side-by-side dwelling arrangement results in house-like dwellings with separate entries, private open spaces, gardens, and parking. This approach also removes the administrative burden of Class 2 and Type B construction.
This approach has the potential to be inserted as infill into established, well-serviced neighbourhoods, providing greater diversity in sought-after locations and allowing multiple parties to live together in dignified, dense, house-like dwellings on typical suburban lots.
Thank you to everyone who helped - Tara Sydney, Tone Wheeler, Anthony Nolan, Steve Kennedy and Jon Jacka, as well as the NSW Government Architect team.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, ABC, The Financial Review, The Australian and elsewhere.
Lane Cove House
Lane Cove House is an experiment in intergenerational family living. Georgia, Adam and their young daughter, Olive, reside on a new upper floor, where internal courtyards frame long views over illuminated treetops. As they have for many years, Olive’s grandparents, Antoinette and John, continue to live on the ground floor of what has long been the family home. Uniform materials integrate the original suburban bungalow into the new spaces, which bring density and shared living to an otherwise traditional suburban setting. Built on Cammerraygal land by Keith March Constructions and photographed by Saskia Wilson.
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, Sustainability, Named Award - Winner
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, Alts & Adds, Named Award - Winner
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, Emerging Project Award - Winner
Australian Institute of Architects, National, Sustainability - Commendation
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, The Financial Review, The Local Project, Houses Magazine and Green Magazine.
Bronte Studio
Kati and Shaun have lived in their Bronte home for many years. A verdant garden weaves its way around the site, shielding the existing dwelling from view and casting long afternoon shadows. By raising a garden bed up as a green roof, Kati’s new ceramics studio disappears under coastal rosemary and grevilleas. Raw materials reflect the garden setting and a circular window, displaying Kati’s work, greets visitors as they arrive. Built on Gadigal land by Brad Swanson and photographed by Saskia Wilson.
Published in Artichoke Magazine, Architecture AU and Design Files.
Balmain House
Leslie and Keith spent a career building houses together. Before downing their tools, they needed a place to put up their feet. The result, Balmain House, is a balancing act: the product of collective experience but also a family experiment. Sweeping views over the city are framed by long eaves and a sunken walled garden. A covered walkway leads from an existing brick cottage to a pavilion at the rear where a skylight captures glimpses of tall gum trees above. Sliding doors open onto a secluded courtyard bathed in low winter light, and on summer evenings the raised walkway becomes a seat from which to watch the dimming skyline beyond. Built on Gadigal land by Keith March Constructions and photographed by Saskia Wilson.
Australian Institute of Architects, National, Alts & Adds Award - Winner
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, Alts & Adds Award - Winner
Inner West Council, Marrickville Medal - Winner
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, Sustainable Award - Shortlisted
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, EmAGN Project Award - Shortlisted
Australian Institute of Architects, NSW, Colorbond Award - Shortlisted
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Design Files and Houses Magazine.
Marrickville House
Tom and Carmel’s worker’s cottage in Marrickville was more than they needed. Instead of selling-up and moving on, they invited their daughter and her young family to move into the family home, while they relocated to a new self-contained studio in the backyard: three generations living together in an otherwise unaffordable neighbourhood. The compact 18sqm space is planned around Tom and Carmel’s favourite painting, which is recessed into a sliding door that separates living and sleeping areas. A sawtooth roof draws in light, recalling the area’s industrial past, and a large window frames the gnarled trunk of Tom and Carmel’s red flowering gum. Built on Gadigal land by Tom Sturm and photographed by Saskia Wilson.
Bondi Apartment
Simon, Justine and their daughter Scout had finally outgrown their small apartment in Bondi. Not wanting to leave the charming Art Deco building in which they had lived for so many years, they sought a cost-effective increase in space without compromising the original character of their home. By extending the original apartment across an additional level, a new living area now opens onto a sheltered rooftop garden. Although modest in size, the added space transforms the once small apartment into a spacious and yet discreet family home. Built on Gadigal land by Harrison Marsh and photographed by Saskia Wilson.
Published in Houses Magazine.
Bronte House
Our brief is to revive a historic house, nestled into a sloping hillside in Bronte. More to come
Gippsland House
Set on a sloping hillside in this wine-growing region, our brief is for a sustainable home on a permaculture farm. More to come.
