Poised Divergence – Steel House by Retallack Thompson

Expressing the distinctions between old and new and merging a weighted presence with a lighter and more tensile one, Steel House is a home of balance and contrast. Retallack Thompson combines the handcrafted traditions of the residence’s varying eras to propose a house that is both reminiscent of its storied past and captures the spirit of the modern world.

With many iterations bound across time, Steel House exemplifies how materiality and form can be both celebrated and blended – the most suited approach comes down to the desired experience of the owner. As both a studio and residence for an architect at Retallack Thompson, Steel House is a place of experimentation and exploration of limitations. Within the typical constraints of the usual client-architect relationship, the extent to which possibilities can be explored has a tipping point, a point where the client will want to rationalise and bring caution to the process. Such a point is absent in the creation of this project.

With many iterations bound across time, Steel House exemplifies how materiality and form can be both celebrated and blended – the most suited approach comes down to the desired experience of the owner.

Retallack Thompson uses the opportunity to be more daring and playful. In extending the legacy of the existing 1830s sandstone terrace architecture, elements of the original are honoured for their time-wearing abilities and resilience, whilst the frailties of the effects of time are approached with sensitivity. In avoiding the continuation of the existing into the new, the addition is instead conceived as a steel series of parts, each with their own functional purpose and a linear expression.

Located in Darlinghurst, Sydney, the retention of the existing character and charm of the sandstone frontage was key to keeping the identity of the home. Behind these preserved and restored rooms, however, sits a more refined and crisp addition as a complement to the existing heritage form. Whilst the original walls of the terrace are close to half a metre in width, the new steel profiles are deliberately thin, close to eight millimetres in some areas, revealing an ultimate contrast. As an optimisation of the internal volume available, and in making a statement of the flexibility of steel as a material, the new takes on a more minimal approach, heightening a connection to natural light and ventilation, and the ability to open the form as needed.

In avoiding the continuation of the existing into the new, the addition is instead conceived as a steel series of parts, each with their own functional purpose and a linear expression.

Steel House is a recessive statement in durability, and of how new elements can sit respectfully and not in competition with the existing whilst carving their own presence. Retallack Thompson integrates the addition as a considered extension of the original, ensuring a co-habitation of balance and subtleties.