An Exploration of Light and Space – Camperdown House by Ted Quinton Architecture

As an exploration of light and space, Camperdown House sees the expansion and renovation of an existing terrace home in inner Sydney. Ted Quinton Architecture combines a considered and crafted approach to propose a home of connected living, enlivened with a sense of the contemporary.

Nestled into the tightly woven residential fabric of Camperdown, the home of the same name is an exercise in compact and considered family living. The new works see the renovation and expansion of an existing narrow terrace home, allowing for the creation of a series of spaces to accommodate its many occupants, allowing a sense of separation and natural hierarchy to occur at the same time. Although generous in its depth, the site and its streetscape frontage are slight, affording the home a number of challenges to ensure adequate natural light was brought deep into the home. Materiality and openings become key to ensuring a sense of openness is felt throughout. Ted Quinton Architecture utilises a monochromatic palette dotted with warming crafted elements to conjure a home of connectedness and a sense of cohesion across the site.

Ted Quinton Architecture utilises a monochromatic palette dotted with warming crafted elements to conjure a home of connectedness and a sense of cohesion across the site.

Built by Construction Matters, Camperdown House sees the retention of the original façade and front rooms, where the existing formality creates the ideal separation for a living space. As the rooms unfold deeper into the site the spaces then also begin to open up, leading to the rear kitchen and dining areas that connect to the garden space through a fully operable façade. Being the heart of many a contemporary home, the kitchen as both a preparation and nurturing space was key. The select materiality and inclusion of quality and considered elements and tactile touchpoints creates an enduring and robust space that invites engagement. As a gathering space also, the large granite island bench becomes the focal draw around which much of the daily activities transpire.

Throughout, in order to create seamless and connected spaces, storage and support areas become an integral inclusion. From the concealed laundry to integrated joinery and storage, a deliberate flow of surfaces creates the ideal disguise for the happenings of the home. Connecting each of the levels vertically is the open stair that allows for both a visual and audible link across the home. As a continuous element that reaches up through the home, it begins weighted and more solidified at the lower level and then becomes more open on its ascent, referencing a lofted feel. The use of a controlled and minimal palette of monochromatic tones allows the spaces to feel larger than they are, and the continuation of colour across multiple surfaces and its engagement with light further amplifies the sense of space. Combining granite, limestone, brickwork, plaster, timber panelling, polished concrete and warming timber, the materiality suits its residential setting with ease.

The select materiality and inclusion of quality and considered elements and tactile touchpoints creates an enduring and robust space that invites engagement.

Camperdown House uses an overarching cohesive and simplified approach to create and expand a connected and considered home. Ted Quinton Architecture has used restraint and clean lines to propose an enduring home and efficient utilisation of space.