LET THERE BE LIGHT
Belle Magazine Australia|November 2023
The transformation of a dark Victorian terrace into a light-filled dream home is nothing short of breathtaking.
DAVID MEAGHER
LET THERE BE LIGHT

There are certain elements of a house that you can’t change when it comes to a renovation and it has nothing to do with the size of your budget. You can’t change its location but, more importantly, you can’t change its orientation.

There are of course a few exceptions to that. If you have a large site and you’re prepared to knock down an existing structure and rebuild you can design your house to take advantage of a northerly aspect. But if you are hemmed in on one side and your house is in an area with strict heritage conditions then demolition of the existing building is virtually impossible. You have to make the most of what you have.

For this house, which faces south and couldn’t be knocked down, Madeleine Blanchfield Architects decided the best solution was to use as much glass as possible to bring natural light flooding into the main living spaces of the building.

The house is located in Woollahra in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, and when the clients originally bought the Victorian terrace, it had a 1970s concrete extension at the back, which was dark and heavy with low ceilings, according to Madeleine.

The original fabric of the terrace house was also in a bad way. “It had been heavily messed with internally over the years and the outside was painted yellow and it had a high brick front wall,” she says.

The brick wall, however, ended up being a blessing in disguise. Heritage restrictions in the suburb no longer allow such high walls at the front of terrace houses to be built, but the fact that it was already there meant the architects could create a private, north-facing courtyard. The front gate was moved so that the entry to the house is now via a path which passes through the garden.

Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Belle Magazine Australia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Belle Magazine Australia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BELLE MAGAZINE AUSTRALIASe alt
Double handling
Belle Magazine Australia

Double handling

Leading architectural hardware designer Bankston has collaborated with New York's Civilian on a new range of door handles and levers.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
Coastal COOL
Belle Magazine Australia

Coastal COOL

A Hamptons-inspired weekender on the Mornington Peninsula is remodelled for three generations of one family.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
CLOUD STREET
Belle Magazine Australia

CLOUD STREET

A sophisticated design with exquisite detailing elevates a top-floor penthouse into a world-class home for a returning local family.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
Future proof
Belle Magazine Australia

Future proof

Crafting a beach house that could eventually become a permanent residence meant walking a fine line between relaxed and sophisticated.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
Going with the ith flow
Belle Magazine Australia

Going with the ith flow

Two melds enticingly into one when an inner-city terrace tones up for contemporary living.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
CHEF'S kiss
Belle Magazine Australia

CHEF'S kiss

Entertaining by a smart renovation for a family of foodies on a grand scale was made possible

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
MAISON D'ART
Belle Magazine Australia

MAISON D'ART

Step into the captivating world of French gallerist Amélie du Chalard, for whom life, art and history are in perfect harmony.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
ERA DEFYING
Belle Magazine Australia

ERA DEFYING

An interwar bungalow moves boldly into the 21st century while also celebrating its fabulous past.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
PALM CANDY
Belle Magazine Australia

PALM CANDY

Pink tones cap off a romantic mix of Spanish and Moroccan styles at a designer's weekend retreat.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
HOUSE ROYAL
Belle Magazine Australia

HOUSE ROYAL

A pair of scented leather gloves sent to King George III marks the birth of one of the world's most enduring fragrance houses.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025