House. Elysium
by Architect Prineas
This Grand Victorian Terrace in inner city Sydney has been transformed into a modern contemporary space.
The original house of House. Elysium is part of a heritage listed row of houses, that address Hollis Park. An exemplary example of a Victorian Urban Square.
The designers Architect Prineas were briefed my the owner to give life back to this Grand Italianate Terrace, whilst respecting the heritage of the property and surrounding area.
The project involved alterations within the envelope of a Grand Victorian Terrace. This required excavation under the existing footprint of the property, and the creation of a two-storey volume, which extends to the living space; connecting multiple levels of the house to the garden, creating a modern contemporary home.
Orientation to the rear garden was also reversed, whilst still maintaining the importance and relevance of the front two rooms of the terrace. Contemporary insertions and detailing are fused nicely with the original heritage fabric of the house. With these new insertions paying respect to the original, the house celebrates a richness formed from the fabric of its heritage.
During the redesign and construction of House. Elysium, the plans had to be changed along the way, due to structural limitations discovered. This created other opportunities for the design however, such as walk-in pantry and a cellar.
And, materials were chosen on their life cycle consideration, so the use of modest but sustainable materials such as plywood were used throughout many of the spaces within the house.
The strength and scale of this modern contemporary design, positions House. Elysium somewhere between the European typology of the street terrace, and the subtropical typology of the courtyard garden.
With the scale and authenticity of new architectural concepts and interiors, these new designs match the aspiration of the original house.
By re-orientating the house from the street to its private garden and the interior providing clarity and connection, this new contemporary space has set the framework for the next hundred years.
Photography by Chris Warnes.
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