Cherishing Past and Present – Paddo Pool Terrace by Luigi Rosselli Architects
As a respectful return to its historical origins, Paddo Pool Terrace becomes a celebration of the vertical terrace typology that has become such an integral icon of residential Sydney’s architectural fabric. Giving depth to the approach, Luigi Rosselli Architects carefully weaves old and new, preserving the heritage stylings among a contemporary occupation.
Whilst the original building and the accompanying row of townhouses to its side date back to the 1860s, the Victorian era terrace – like many – was the recipient of numerous additions and alterations in the years since, with the latest completed in the 1980s. As a reflection of how the area of Paddington has passed through many differing demographic hands – dentists, tailors, builders and now mainly professionals – the latest sculpting becomes a sign of the times, enabling the home to be occupied by multiple generations a family at once.
“Our role was similar to the previous architects – to try and restore some element of the original building and to correct some of the additional elements that were no longer working,” describes Luigi Rosselli. As such, the new works, including interiors designed by Handelsmann + Khaw and landscape by Dangar Barin Smith, are conceived holistically, with an emphasis on making the most of the opportunities the building offered. “Being four stories, the terrace is quite unique,” says Luigi. “Traditionally, there would be neighbours flanking either side; we were lucky that on the western side, the previous building has been demolished and replaced with a set of flats that have also been set back from the street.” The sense of relief created as a result allowed a lift to be added, increasing movement between the levels. “It’s usually quite difficult to add a lift to a terrace,” adds Luigi, “but it was an important part of the story of the home,” allowing for multigenerational living, the added movement ensuring no impediment to connection.
Maximising the benefits of its verticality and the sloping terrain of the area, views out over the harbour are emphasised both from the interior and from the dedicated outdoor area. “It is located in quite an elevated area of Paddington, and with the building below being located quite a long way down, there were many opportunities to frame views outwards,” says Luigi. With an existing pool already in place, the outdoor lifestyle was already expressed and established; however, it needed curation to ensure these areas acted as an extension to the home proper. “We rebuilt the pool within the existing shell, as the clients loved living outdoors and the pleasure of being in the water,” he adds, “and we developed the area around the pool, providing screening from the neighbouring flats and to frame the view down toward Sydney Harbour.”
Like any heritage home with a storied past, its previous owners each left their mark on the building, overtly and subtly changing the architecture to suit how they lived. Recognising that all of this is part of the building’s heritage, “we tried to be kind with history,” says Luigi. “With so much of the original home retained in place and of such great quality, the more accidental irregularities – such as the non-linear nature of the staircase – we wanted to express these interesting parts of history, while also integrating a joyful use of light and colour and the ingrained nature of the landscape within the home.”
Restoring the exterior sandstone, a generous, multi-level atrium space sits to the rear and incorporates the existing exterior windows, in turn making them part of the interior as a new façade encases the additional volume. Reflecting the main client’s feminine sensibilities, “the sensual nature of the home is very clear,” says Luigi, “and ensuring the body felt at ease in the space was so important – while the atrium is white, the surrounding set plaster has a soft and waxy finish that is then combined with a coarser tile – the two complement one another and enhance an engagement with light.”
Through an ease of transition between inside and out, the materials and the tactile nature of walking barefoot outside is brought inside to this communal area.
The light in the atrium, the finishes and the connection to history, Luigi says, “creates a real sense of community within the space, with internal windows and balconies that look down into the space – the family can open them and lean out to see if dinner is ready and be connected, or disconnected, to the family at all times.” Through an ease of transition between inside and out, the materials and the tactile nature of walking barefoot outside is brought inside to this communal area. Designed through close collaboration with Dangar Barin Smith, the landscape freely flows on from the interior concepts and offers a sensory engagement. “The space reflects a pleasure of life and a hedonistic approach where the comfortability of the home drives every new element – there are no hard edges, but tactile qualities instead,” Luigi says.
In the one sense, the new works restore the home to its former glory. In another, Paddo Pool Terrace becomes far more than it once was – a living embodiment of its past and present milieu. “The home brings three generations together,” says Luigi, “while also reinstating the terrace as a prominent and well-positioned typology” – all of which will ensure a continued future and relevance.
