A Considered Fusing – Glenmore Terrace by Tom Mark Henry

Focusing on light, Glenmore Terrace is a bright and open contemporary dwelling. Tom Mark Henry draws from the layered past of the storied home, fusing the classical with the modern through an enduring and time-wearing lens.

Situated among similar company, Glenmore Terrace is located in inner Sydney and, although it remains a remnant of the area’s architectural past, the new works ensure its permanency. The reworking of the existing Victorian era terrace home is completed with a considered series of principles in tow, focusing on creating a longevity and an enduring relevance. By considering the previous chapters of the home and wanting to build on that legacy, the new alterations aim to add and not distract from the previous approach. Originally conceived from a place of crafted and handmade elements, the new takes on a similar approach as Tom Mark Henry respectfully reinterprets and weaves insertions to sit restfully alongside the existing.

The reworking of the existing Victorian era terrace home is completed with a considered series of principles in tow, focusing on creating a longevity and an enduring relevance.

The brightening of Glenmore Terrace formed the core focus of the brief. Opening where possible and bringing in natural sunlight from above, skylights light otherwise dark spaces within the interior. In responding to the narrowness of the terrace, an addition sits comfortably to the rear and creates a central space to gather, entertain and prepare meals. The shared space combines the living, dining and kitchen within the one volume, seeing the home extend outward and reach further back into the site. This continued reach of the overall form also allows for a better connection with the landscape.

In combining the old and new, key elements of the existing heritage home such as the cornices, architraves, staircase and mantel remain in place and restored as needed. Around these elements, the home is intended to reflect a more contemporary way of living. A mostly muted and minimal palette is used throughout – a base of light greys and whites set the scene whilst dark herringbone timber floorboards and sisal carpet run underfoot. The application of venetian plaster adds a nod to the old world – a technique needing to be applied by hand – and adds movement to the vertical surfaces of the home through the interaction with natural light.

A mostly muted and minimal palette is used throughout – a base of light greys and whites set the scene whilst dark herringbone timber floorboards and sisal carpet run underfoot.

Through a fusing of the familiar and heritage features, Glenmore Terrace comes together as a calm and encasing family home. Tom Mark Henry brings details from the original home into the new and binds a similar appreciation of the handmade.