Petersham House by Cateaux Architects and CHROFI sees the expansive and refreshing renovation of a classic Sydney Federation home. Tucked away in the shaded leafy streets of Inner West Sydney, the home's potential was hampered by spatial shortcomings, poor ventilation and gloomy lighting. Cateaux Architects and CHROFI have unlocked the potential of the home, breathing new life into the space by blending its heritage charm with contemporary living.
Upgrading the spatial connectivity of the home was paramount in its journey from disjointed and dark to fresh and fluid. The original home relied upon a compartmentalised layout, with bedrooms at the front and living spaces in the rear. The home's lower ground floor was accessible only via a narrow staircase and offered only low-ceilinged, dark rooms with little to no ventilation. Cateaux Architects and CHROFI sought to overhaul these under-utilised spaces and majorly enhance the homes connection with the outdoors, welcoming in fresh air, light and a new era of family living.
A large portion of the renovation focused on providing better amenities to the lower ground floor to reinvigorate the homes footprint and make the most of every centimetre of the property. This included the relocation of the living spaces to the lower floor, creating a bright, open environment that flows seamlessly into the rear garden beyond. Natural light was capitalised upon through the home's northern orientation, transforming the once dim residence into an airy retreat.
Finally, bedrooms were moved to the raised ground floor in order to create a sense of family unity, spatial cohesion, maximise on natural lighting and ventilation, and offer outlooks over the stunning gardens below. The result is a uniform and fluid floor plan that suits the needs of the clients, whilst always passively creating a feeling of connection, airiness and generosity of space.
Built by HiSpec Constructions the home is centred around a two-storey light well, which acts as the heart of the home and a gateway for lighting and cross-ventilation to the lower ground floor. The timber feature staircase is cleverly integrated into the kitchen joinery, blurring the boundary between indoors and outdoors through a strategically placed large feature window that floods the timber treads with natural light. The study has been aligned alongside this lush pocket to offer a layered visual vista with an outlook over the courtyard, through the living spaces and out to the garden and pool beyond, it is certainly a special spot within the home.
A soft, warm material palette has been incorporated throughout the home, to offset the deep green hues of the courtyard and garden that transverse the home's outlooks. Tactility, natural lighting and seamless connection with the home create a universal sense of serenity, calm and comfort. The overall result is flawlessly executed and undeniably elevated from its dark and gloomy origins. Blending heritage charm with contemporary elegance, Petersham House has been thoughtfully transformed into a family home that prioritises natural light, comfort, and a strong connection to the outdoors, creating an inviting home to be enjoyed for years to come.
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PROJECT DETAILS
Architecture: Cateaux Architects and CHROFI
Photography: Clinton Weaver
Builder: HiSpec Constructions
Structure: SDA
Landscape Design: Secret Gardens
Landscape Construction: Bates Landscape
Styling: Holly Irvine Studio
Lighting: This is Lo-FI
