Sunlit Sanctuary – Earlwood House by pH+ Architects
Previously a light-starved structure, Earlwood House steps into the light, courtesy of a functional and uplifting transformation by pH+ Architects. Following a comprehensive layout reconfiguration, along with the addition of retractable floor-to-ceiling glazing and a central sliding rooflight, the new home – located in Sydney’s inner west – now embraces indoor-outdoor living and engages fully with its surroundings.
In its past life, Earlwood House had significant issues. “The original home was impractical for family life and wholly unsuccessful in engaging with its immediate context,” explains Drew Hamilton, Founder of pH+ Architects. The firm was enlisted by the homeowners to address said shortcomings and create a new family residence that fully maximised the potential of the stepped site.
The architectural redesign saw the suburban family home – located on an elevated site in Sydney’s inner west – undergo a series of strategic subtractions, followed by carefully considered additions, to create a more generous and practical layout for daily life.
The architectural redesign saw the suburban family home – located on an elevated site in Sydney’s inner west – undergo a series of strategic subtractions, followed by carefully considered additions, to create a more generous and practical layout for daily life. The primary living spaces are located on an elevated ground floor; the new kitchen is set to the rear and the main living space to the front. Both spill out onto new external terraces, the latter offering elevated views of the neighbourhood.
The dining area is an organic extension of the living room. With double height glazing on one side and a sliding skylight above, light punctuates the realm at every corner, whilst also providing a visual connection between floors. There are, however, subtle visual distinctions. Concrete flooring distinguishes the dining area from the neighbouring spaces and extends to the outdoors in a singular flourish, forming a full-width planter that keeps nature in close proximity to family life.
The bedrooms are all located on the upper level. Floor-to-ceiling glazing and skylights are leitmotifs that reappear in the master bedroom and the bathroom respectively, whilst a private balcony offers sweeping vistas of the horizon. “Its elevated position captures previously unseen views,” says Drew.
At the lower level, a confident new brick structure embraces its role of entry, mediating between the street and the primary accommodation above. A glazed pivot door clearly defines the new pedestrian entryway; beyond, a generous 1.75-metre-wide internal timber staircase leads residents and visitors up to the main accommodation. pH+ incorporated Roman ‘hit and miss’ brickwork for a large portion of the front façade. “At night, the gaps in the brickwork emit a gentle glow of light that quietly greets residents as they return home,” shares Drew.
Muted and minimal, the interior design language reflects the exterior scheme.
Muted and minimal, the interior design language reflects the exterior scheme. Dark timber floors clad the entirety of the interior communal areas, parlaying out into the terrace and decks through flush thresholds and fully retractable glazing and insect screens. Likewise, light grey terrazzo tiling highlights the bathrooms in the way of feature walls, sinks and backsplashes.
Both the deceptive simplicity and pared-down aesthetic afford the house a lightness, which is then lent gravitas by the site’s stepped topography. “Externally,” Drew explains, “the interventions offer an improved appearance, consolidating the existing and the new into a confident, yet considered addition to the streetscape.”
