Calm Reprieve – House for a Sculptor by Miles / Thorp Architects

Part gallery and part retreat, House for a Sculptor reworks the rear portion of a period workers cottage home into a display space of meditative proportions, offering a refined portal to the landscaped private garden. Miles / Thorp Architects brings a sense of clarity and precision, carrying forward the original materiality as the contemporary evolution of the original quaint home.

Surrounded by pint-sized workers cottages of matched charm in Rozelle, House for a Sculptor is the completing of an unfinished vision for the rear of the site, bookending the home. Having acquired and lived in the home for some 30 years and having added a series of lean-to structures along the way, the owner – a sculptor – was ready for the next chapter for the home. Although he had built the previous additions over the years, using his sculpting skills and ability to manipulate materiality to good use, the time had come for the next stage. The brief to Miles / Thorp Architects outlined that the space needed to contain an open living area, bathroom, and laundry, bringing them in from their previous location outside.

By extending the overall form outward, maintaining a similar height and width as the cottage, the addition becomes the ideal destination of calm retreat.

by Paring back the additions to the original outer core of the cottage, a better sense of what the new addition could be took shape. By extending the overall form outward, maintaining a similar height and width as the cottage, the addition becomes the ideal destination of calm retreat. With large operable glazed doors that allow the garden to become part of the living area, the space opens entirely, bringing with it natural ventilation and sunlight. The use of timber from the original weatherboard cottage is brought into the new and celebrated in another more contemporary way. Used structurally and to line the ceiling, walls, floors and select walls, a deck extends outward, greying over time from the elements.

Throughout, plinths for display of various sculptures and large uninterrupted wall space for the showing of artworks are created, animating the space with original pieces by the owner. Together with the timber, recycled brickwork flanks sit internally in a reverse brick arrangement, adding a textural backdrop to the smoother inserted objects on display. An outer sleeve of metal sits on the outer edge, robustly protecting the interior and brick elements, allowing a thinner outer layer and optimising the width of the site.

Together with the timber, recycled brickwork flanks sit internally in a reverse brick arrangement, adding a textural backdrop to the smoother inserted objects on display.

Through a replanning of the home and redirecting movement throughout, House for a Sculptor adds the missing elements to the puzzle. Miles / Thorp Architects maintains the integrity of the original home, emphasising historical reminders while activating the whole site..