Uniquely Artisanal – Matchpoint House by Duet and AJH+ Architecture

Drawing on a global hotel sensibility, Matchpoint House feature an eclectic saturation and vibrancy to suit the energy of its young and growing family. Duet and AJH+ combine to add to the existing character and charm of the heritage home, instilling an artisanal and handmade approach.

Located in inner Sydney, Matchpoint House embodies the grandness of its origins, as a Tudor revival home circa 1916. Through a revised approach, its narrative is continued well into the future. In the bringing of the home and its generous surrounds into a contemporary relevance, Duet and AJH+ Architecture worked to infuse the personalities of its owners and create a unique, layered home of purpose that acts as an extension of those who live there. Layers of textural diversity, sculptural insertions and a curated eye ensure the response is unique in its own way. As keen travellers and being well versed in the many hotel offerings across the France and England, the owners wanted to bring a global feeling into the home, as a nod to the many places they have stayed and loved.

As keen travellers and being well versed in the many hotel offerings across the France and England, the owners wanted to bring a global feeling into the home, as a nod to the many places they have stayed and loved.

Built by Steve Barron and John Jabbour, together with landscape by Studio Rewild, Matchpoint House sees a response befitting of its size and proportion, where every room and every moment has been considered. As with all family homes, a need for flexibility both in function but also over time was integral to the brief, in order for the home to adapt as needed. Many of the spaces consequently have the ability to expand and contract to allow for more social entertaining times or retract to emphasise a sense of enclosure and retreat.

Spread over two generous levels, in the first instance, the previous addition to the home needed to be removed and a new approach adopted. Instead of adding another contemporary volume onto an existing highly detailed home, the approach ensures an integration of history and a continuation of that existing charm. Filled with existing leadlight windows, moulded ceilings and cornices, curved walls and detailed panelling, expressing the handmade was key. It made sense then to take an artisanal approach in selecting and curating the insertions, while layering elements of warmth and textural richness that speak to an inherent playfulness at the same time.

It made sense then to take an artisanal approach in selecting and curating the insertions, while layering elements of warmth and textural richness that speak to an inherent playfulness at the same time.

Matchpoint House is founded on the idea of storytelling. Through emphasising captured nods to the past together with a refreshing curiosity with colour and form, Duet and AJH+ Architecture have crafted a truly unique home in the process.