Woven Restraint – Queens Park House by Porebski Architects

Following the fall of the site to the rear, Queens Park House disguises its generous interiors from the street, creating a private and disconnected home in the process. Porebski Architects replaces an existing single-story residence with one that integrates a well woven brief across multiple levels, whilst still allowing for flowing connections between inside and out.

Like many homes within inner Sydney, a combination of clever planning and an efficiency across the site is needed to create a sense of openness. Set among the undulating terrain of Queens Park, the same-named home maintains the rhythm of its neighbouring properties in scale to the front, whilst the flooring of the ground level subtly drops down in alignment with the slope of the terrain underneath. Despite the restrictive size of the site, Porebski Architects uses openings to ensure light and natural connections are a consistent presence.

Instilling a sense of resilience throughout, the selection of materiality responds to an indoor-outdoor lifestyle – one that is synonymous with Sydney.

Oriented east-west, the opportunity to engage with northern light is captured in the rear planning of the L-shaped footprint. By narrowing the overall form, the living areas are opened to bring in both natural light and ventilation, whilst the use of floor-to-ceiling glazing allows for visual access to remain unimpacted throughout this area. Instilling a sense of resilience throughout, the selection of materiality responds to an indoor-outdoor lifestyle – one that is synonymous with Sydney. Openings in the ceiling plane bring natural light further into the central areas of the home, whilst double-height windows encourage a more natural and soft illumination to fill the interior.

With a base palette of muted finishes forming the foundations of the house, timber is used in select areas to add warmth. Panelling brings a natural touch into various areas by breaking up the volumes that comprise the interior spaces and overlaying a textural diversity. Using a combination of concrete blockwork walls, natural stone and timber detailing as the core materials, the detailing within the interior acts as an evolution of the architecture itself. As the home funnels movement to the rear, the key open living space brings the owners and visitors together, whilst the upper level allows for spaces of retreat.

Using a combination of concrete blockwork walls, natural stone and timber detailing as the core materials, the detailing within the interior acts as an evolution of the architecture itself.

Combining lifestyle and an effective use of available space, Queens Park House optimises every opportunity. Porebski Architects focuses on outdoor living as a core theme, weaving moments of natural connections into the fabric of the home.