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An inner-city Sydney renovation preserves aVictorian-period terrace’s beauty and boom-era grandeur while remedying its deficienciesby introducing light, air and stunning views.

Best ofBothworlds

Words

Jy Fl

PhotograPhy

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he rear doors and featurewindows at the easternend of the house maximiseviews and amenit whieempoing a pergoa(over which wi e growna deciduous vine) andexterna inds to minimiseunwecome summer sun.

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It’s a sIgn of a good renovatIon

of an old period terrace when it brings outthe very best of the original heritage features while providing present-day panache.Thanks to architect Caroline Pidcock,this little terrace in Sydney’s inner westernsuburb of Glebe is now showcasing its boom-period Victoriana through a 21st century lens.Says Pidcock: “While the house is notheritage listed, it contributes to the area.“We aimed to retain the best of what isthere in the public realm, while ensuring thenew work is well designed so it contributespositively to the heritage of the future.”In the front half of the house, two originalfireplaces framed by crisp white walls, highceilings, plaster cornices and ceiling rosesseem to invite the visitor or lucky inhabitantto repose with a good book and a glass of wine.Step into the renovated addition inthe back half of the house and the style iscontemporary with a nod to period detail.The rear of the house has been connectedto the backyard via an open family roomand deck extending from the kitchen. In thekitchen, a north-facing period-style stainedglass window throws coloured rays across thefloor. More light emanates through the reardoors and highlight windows that open ontothe deck.There are external blinds to east-facing windows and a pergola which will provide aframe for a deciduous vine over the deck toprotect the eastern doors.Owner Christine Asmar is thrilled by the renovation, which has allowed her andpartner Tom Angelo to “live in the treescape”.The outlook behind the property is very inner-western Sydney, with gum trees,tin roofs, laneways, sandstone walls and windows into other lives providing a rich,living landscape.“Previously, we could only see this lovely treescape through a narrow opening in thekitchen,” says Asmar. “Now, the whole livingarea has been opened up so that the outlookhas come to us.”

Origina repacesurrounds comine withtimer furniture to retaina period aesthetic, whiean east-facing operaebreezewa ouvredwindow opening into thecentra ightwe controsight and ventiation,ending period form withcontemporar function.

he downstairs toiet/aundr, coming in at amere 3.78m

, dees itsdimensions with a argemirror and white, ight-reecting surfaces.t has taps for a tightt: bastow Georgianasin mixer twinnerwith an Ostar 9045wa-mounted asin.Mixers with separatehot and cod taps aremore energ-ecientthan singe evers,which tend to e eftin the midde position.

light cascades downthe centra stairwefrom an overheaddoue-gazed skight.ote aundantcupoard space underthe stairs.

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1234567891 0 1 1 1 2 1 3

01 ining02 lounge03 oiet-laundr04 Kitchen05 Fami room06 eck07 Main bedroom08 Guest bedroom09 nsuite10 bedroom

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The upstairs living quarters incorporatethree bedrooms, with the third rear bedroomcontaining a windowed sitting nookoverlooking the backyard. The adjacent bathroom, like the one downstairs, hasopaque north-facing glazing for privacy and light.Extra light was brought into the house via a large double-glazed skylight in thestairway. This can be opened on summernights to permit stack ventilation. Openable,high level-windows above the rear doors onthe downstairs deck also provide ventilation,as well as additional light and views of thetreescape.Heritage values, environmental concernsand the desire to create lighter, more openspaces were key drivers in the renovation.“The general layout and quality of therooms and the masonry walls and timberfloors were retained to ensure the characterof the house was not compromised,” saysPidcock.“The main environmental requests werefor better insulation and air flow, water savingmeasures, more natural light and low VOCfinishes in respect to paint, floor finish andcupboards,” she says.“The last renovation was done by a builder who threw all the rubbish underthe front floors. This was pretty disastrousfrom an airflow and general pollution senseand it all had to be cleaned out before doinganything.” The house now boasts subflooras well as roof space ventilation.A 4300 litre bladder tank under thedeck provides water for toilets, washingmachine and the garden. Compactfluorescent and LED lights have beenused throughout the house.Every bit of available space is used, withthe family room wall and the alcove underthe stairs both incorporating shelving.The result is a house that sits comfortably in its environment, in every sense of the word.For Christine and Tom, the best part is beingreunited with their immediate surrounds.

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“While the house is not heritage listed, itcontributes to the area. We aimed to retainthe best of what is there in the public realm.”