Design Overview
Stanmore House is a completed heritage conservation renovation and extension within the Annandale Farm Heritage Conservation Area in Sydney's Inner West. The design incorporates contemporary rear living spaces, an upper-level addition and improved connections to the garden while retaining the character of the original home. Careful window placement and extensive glazing helped overcome the site's limited northern sunlight.
DA & CC Approval - Inner West Council
More About This Project
The Brief
Heritage Conservation Home Extension & Renovation in Stanmore
Stanmore House involved extending and renovating an established family home within the Annandale Farm Heritage Conservation Area in Stanmore, Sydney's Inner West.
The owners wanted more practical living spaces, a contemporary kitchen and better connections between the home and rear garden.
They also wanted to improve natural light throughout the residence while retaining its original character.
The challenge was introducing contemporary rear and upper-level additions within an established Heritage Conservation Area, where the scale and appearance of new work needed to respect the existing home and surrounding streetscape.
The property's north-south orientation also made it difficult to bring northern sunlight directly into the new ground-floor living areas.
The Design Response
Designing a Contemporary Extension Within a Heritage Conservation Area
We designed a contemporary rear extension that provided the owners with additional living space while respecting the character of the original home.
The design retains the established front appearance and concentrates the major changes towards the rear of the residence.
The new extension was carefully considered in relation to the original building, allowing contemporary architecture to sit comfortably alongside the older home.
The design and documentation also addressed the applicable heritage and planning controls of the former Marrickville Council.
Creating Open-Plan Kitchen, Dining and Family Living
We reworked the rear of the home to introduce an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.
The new kitchen incorporates contemporary white cabinetry, a timber island bench and improved connections to the adjoining family spaces.
Large glazed openings connect the living areas with the covered outdoor entertaining space and rear garden.
The revised layout makes the home more practical for everyday family living and entertaining.
Improving Natural Light on a North-South Oriented Block
One of the main design challenges was improving natural light in the new living areas.
The north-south orientation made it difficult to achieve ideal northern solar access at ground-floor level.
We incorporated extensive glazing into the rear extension to bring more natural light into the living spaces.
New north-facing windows at upper level also help capture northern sunlight, making better use of the available orientation.
These design decisions were balanced against privacy considerations and the restrictions associated with the Heritage Conservation Area.
Retaining Character While Modernising the Interior
The renovation also involved updating the internal spaces while retaining features that contribute to the character of the original residence.
Existing fireplaces and exposed brickwork were incorporated into the renovated interiors, providing a contrast with the contemporary kitchen, bathrooms and living areas.
The design brings together the home's traditional details and modern finishes without requiring the original character to be removed.
Project Outcome
DA & CC Approved Heritage Home Extension | Stanmore, Inner West Council
Stanmore House received Development Application approval through Inner West Council, followed by Construction Certificate approval.
The completed renovation provides contemporary kitchen, dining and family living spaces, additional upper-level accommodation and improved connections to the rear garden.
The design makes better use of natural light while retaining the established character of the original home.
The result is a more practical and comfortable family residence that responds to the planning and heritage requirements of the Annandale Farm Heritage Conservation Area.
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