Percy Plunkett

by Killing Matt Woods

The Percy Plunkett project is the radical transformation of a neglected heritage listed cottage in Western Sydney to create the quintessentially Australian café.

Matt Woods of Killing Matt Woods created a design that advocates a true localism methodology while blending both original & contemporary architectural elements in order to create a timeless, classic, and iconically Australian styled café.

Matt was first confronted with a poorly restored & neglected space with a certain underlying charm. Almost immediatley the Architectural beauty of the heritage-listed homestead became apparent. Internally the home was modestly detailed, & poorly finished. The dark, uninviting & small rooms, would require extensive works in order to transform the interior into a contemporary cafe environment.

Matt Woods of Killing Matt Woods created a design that advocates a true localism methodology.

As a fierce advocate in the support of Australian manufacturing & design, the passionate local driven approach of the owners further influenced Matt’s resolve to ensure as much as possible of this design was sourced from local makers & suppliers. In addition to this “localism” concept, celebrating the heritage nature of the homestead was of primary importance to Matt. It was decided early on that the principal aim of the new aesthetic development was to mix both original & new elements.

De materialisation is at the core of the design, and all elements have been reduced to their bare essentials. Joinery components are made from locally sourced reclaimed hardwoods, paint finishes are VOC free, all lighting is energy efficient LED and all materials have been assessed for their embodied energy & embodied water content. The project was also delivered on time and on budget.

It was decided early on that the principal aim of the new aesthetic development was to mix both original & new elements.

Matt believe that true contemporary design is focused on the creation of exciting & invigorating interiors that respond authentically to site & aspiration. Located in Western Sydney, Penrith has not traditionally been known as a dining destination, however Percy Plunkett aims to challenge this perception. As such, the design is genuine, mature & timeless & has been adapted to the sprawling sites strengths, taking advantage of the buildings inherent architectural beauty. True to a classic design ethos, the interior has been stripped back to its bare essentials, first evidenced via the master planning principals, which allow for the smooth transition from the back of house areas, into the patron occupied spaces of the once “rabbit warren” like cottage.

De materialisation is at the core of the design, and all elements have been reduced to their bare essentials.

Percy Plunkett by Killing Matt Woods is innovative in that it straddles the divide between the original heritage architecture & contemporary additions. The design does so by exploring tonal shifts within the dining spaces, elaborating on the existing heritage detailing, contemporary custom bespoke lighting, & locally made furniture. This is relevant to the the Localism brief & the original house itself, in that the design presents as a contemporary open and light-filled without making a negative contrast or irony of the house’s history.

Percy Plunkett by Killing Matt Woods is innovative in that it straddles the divide between the original heritage architecture & contemporary additions.

The Percy Plunkett project is the radical transformation of a neglected heritage listed cottage in Western Sydney to create the quintessentially Australian café.

Matt Woods of Killing Matt Woods created a design that advocates a true localism methodology while blending both original & contemporary architectural elements in order to create a timeless, classic, and iconically Australian styled café.

Matt was first confronted with a poorly restored & neglected space with a certain underlying charm. Almost immediatley the Architectural beauty of the heritage-listed homestead became apparent. Internally the home was modestly detailed, & poorly finished. The dark, uninviting & small rooms, would require extensive works in order to transform the interior into a contemporary cafe environment.

Matt Woods of Killing Matt Woods created a design that advocates a true localism methodology.

As a fierce advocate in the support of Australian manufacturing & design, the passionate local driven approach of the owners further influenced Matt’s resolve to ensure as much as possible of this design was sourced from local makers & suppliers. In addition to this “localism” concept, celebrating the heritage nature of the homestead was of primary importance to Matt. It was decided early on that the principal aim of the new aesthetic development was to mix both original & new elements.

De materialisation is at the core of the design, and all elements have been reduced to their bare essentials. Joinery components are made from locally sourced reclaimed hardwoods, paint finishes are VOC free, all lighting is energy efficient LED and all materials have been assessed for their embodied energy & embodied water content. The project was also delivered on time and on budget.

It was decided early on that the principal aim of the new aesthetic development was to mix both original & new elements.

Matt believe that true contemporary design is focused on the creation of exciting & invigorating interiors that respond authentically to site & aspiration. Located in Western Sydney, Penrith has not traditionally been known as a dining destination, however Percy Plunkett aims to challenge this perception. As such, the design is genuine, mature & timeless & has been adapted to the sprawling sites strengths, taking advantage of the buildings inherent architectural beauty. True to a classic design ethos, the interior has been stripped back to its bare essentials, first evidenced via the master planning principals, which allow for the smooth transition from the back of house areas, into the patron occupied spaces of the once “rabbit warren” like cottage.

De materialisation is at the core of the design, and all elements have been reduced to their bare essentials.

Percy Plunkett by Killing Matt Woods is innovative in that it straddles the divide between the original heritage architecture & contemporary additions. The design does so by exploring tonal shifts within the dining spaces, elaborating on the existing heritage detailing, contemporary custom bespoke lighting, & locally made furniture. This is relevant to the the Localism brief & the original house itself, in that the design presents as a contemporary open and light-filled without making a negative contrast or irony of the house’s history.

Percy Plunkett by Killing Matt Woods is innovative in that it straddles the divide between the original heritage architecture & contemporary additions.