This development for a private client included the Torrens title subdivision of a corner block in Marrickville into 3 allotments, the construction of 1 new dwelling and the conversion of a single house into 2 semi detached houses. It acts as a model for urban consolidation within suburban areas, close to local facilities and transportation hubs, that is economically feasible, sustainable, sensitive to the environmental impact, the streetscape and the amenity of the neighbours.
The design retains an existing Federation bungalow and constructs a new brick party wall through the centre of the building to create 2 semi-detached houses with separate entries and identities from the street. An unsympathetic c1970 tiled mansard roof is replaced with a new upper level facade which takes it’s reference from the corner stone brickwork and stucco render on the original Federation dwelling and is similar in scale to the neighbouring terraces. Internal re-planning and new contemporary living spaces open to private gardens and outdoor spaces while retaining as much as the original Federation building fabric as was feasible. More details on this building can be seen in our Marrickville Semis project.
An additional Torrens titled allotment is created at the rear of the existing dwelling, fronting the side street. This new single storey dwelling continues the street pattern of the neighbouring buildings. A “U” shaped plan creates a smaller “effective frontage” to the street and focuses the house around a private central courtyard. More details on this building can be seen in our Marrickville Courtyard House project.
The project was awarded the 2015 Marrickville Medal from Marrickville Council. The Medal is awarded annually in recognition of the conservation of the cultural heritage of Marrickville.
2015 Marrickville Medal Jury Citation:
An exemplar design that sets a precedent for the future character of the area. Excellent understanding and interpretation of the site’s context through careful analysis of surrounding built form, materials, colours and sightlines. Innovative and thoughtful design that enhances its heritage streetscape whilst providing high quality contemporary architecture.
NSW AIA Jury Citation:
A small lot subdivision, 3 Houses Marrickville is an exemplar of low-impact urban consolidation.
From a single Federation-era house, the subdivision has created three individual dwellings: a pair of two-storey semis, and one single-storey freestanding house that fits seamlessly into its context of worker's cottages.
The project is a confident and sympathetic response to the heritage values of the site and surrounds. Thoughtful design and control of detail has addressed the varied scales and rhythms of adjacent buildings to create something idiosyncratic, yet harmonious with the street. The semis utilise as much as the existing Federation house as possible to minimise material usage and waste, and recombine its keystone brick and stucco render with a new deep cut, hinting at the intervention, while blurring its lines.
The detached dwelling is a study in natural timber with distinctive beautiful overtones of Finnish and Japanese design. Arranged round a central courtyard, the elevation required for 100-year flood events lends the building a subtropical informality, reinforced by the interior planning and details.