Albert Park House was originally a terrace with all the normal issues, rigid layout, no natural light, and a crumbling structure. Our design focused on creating generous, light filled spaces for a young family.

The site is heritage listed, meaning the original façade needed to be maintained and any development to the rear had to be concealed from view. This presented a challenge, as our brief included a second story master bedroom which fell directly in this view-line. Our solution was to create a sunken kitchen and living space, allowing the upper level to maintain a low-profile. The roofline is staggered and builds up to the rear of the property, with high windows allowing sunlight to penetrate in to all areas of the house.

The internal layout is unconventional for a terrace, and optimizes use of space on this condensed site. The dining space is located next to a small courtyard, and connects to the feature timber batten stair leading up to the master bedroom. While in the centre of the house, the dining area has a generous double height ceiling and is drenched in light from the high windows. This is also the threshold between old and new, with a traditional timber stair leading down to the sunken kitchen. Here there is a more contemporary material palette of polished concrete floors and Carrara marble benchtops. Moving through the living areas every available space is utilized, including a concealed study and pantry storage below the stair. The plan flows seamlessly, breaking away from the dark, rigid terrace house convention.