Design Overview
Strathfield House is an award-winning heritage home extension and renovation in Sydney's Inner West. The design retains the original heritage façade while introducing a contemporary rear addition with open-plan family living, modern interiors and generous outdoor entertaining. Careful planning allowed substantial new living space to be added without compromising the home's original street character.
DA & CC Approval - Strathfield Council
More About This Project
The Brief
Heritage Home Extension & Renovation in Strathfield
Strathfield House involved extending and renovating an existing heritage-listed residence in Strathfield, Sydney's Inner West.
The owners wanted a contemporary family home with more living space, an open-plan kitchen and dining area, and better connections to the rear garden and outdoor entertaining areas.
They also wanted modern interiors with plenty of natural light while retaining the original home's character.
The challenge was accommodating substantial new living areas without changing the heritage façade or compromising the home's appearance from the street.
The design also needed to meet Strathfield Council's heritage requirements.
The Design Response
Preserving the Heritage Façade While Extending the Home
We retained the original front of the residence and concentrated the major alterations towards the rear.
The contemporary single-storey addition was designed to sit discreetly behind the existing home, allowing the original street appearance to remain unchanged.
Careful consideration was given to the scale and form of the new extension so it would complement the heritage residence rather than compete with it.
This approach allowed us to substantially increase the living space while respecting the home's heritage character.
Creating Contemporary Open-Plan Family Living
We designed a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and family area within the new rear extension.
The contemporary kitchen incorporates timber cabinetry, a large stone island bench and practical storage, creating a central gathering space for the family.
The adjoining dining and living areas were arranged to improve movement between rooms and provide a more open, connected layout.
Large areas of glazing bring natural light into the new spaces while connecting the interior with the rear garden
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Connecting Indoor Living with Outdoor Entertaining
The owners wanted the new living areas to connect directly with the outdoors.
We incorporated large glazed openings leading to a covered alfresco, outdoor kitchen and swimming pool.
The outdoor entertaining areas include timber screening and natural stone finishes that complement the contemporary extension.
These spaces were designed together with the main living areas so the family could move comfortably between indoors and outdoors.
Designing Award-Winning Contemporary Interiors
Interior design was an important part of the renovation.
We developed a coordinated approach to the kitchen, dining and living spaces, bringing together timber cabinetry, stone surfaces, contemporary finishes and carefully considered lighting.
The aim was to create warm, practical interiors that suited everyday family living while maintaining a clear connection with the older residence.
The new spaces provide a contemporary contrast to the original home without losing the character that made the property worth retaining.
Project Outcome
DA Approved Heritage Home Extension | Strathfield Council
Strathfield House progressed through the Development Application approval process with Strathfield Council and was subsequently completed.
The finished renovation provides substantial additional family living space, a contemporary kitchen, light-filled interiors and generous outdoor entertaining areas.
The original heritage façade remains intact, preserving the home's established street character.
The completed project received national recognition in 2017 for both its residential interiors and alterations and additions design.
Awards & Recognition
2017 – Building Designers Association National Design Awards
Winner – Best Residential Interiors
Commendation – Best Alterations & Additions $500,000 & Over
Project Gallery Click Image to Enlarge
