Collection by Diana Budds
An Airy Renovation in Sydney
In the Sydney, Australia, neighborhood of Rozelle, architect Christopher Polly has renovated a house with green design in mind. By opening up the plan, adding floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls to the rear of the house, deftly organizing windows, and repurposing elements of the original structure, Polly has created a residence that's attuned to its environment. Here, we call out the project's key design moves, architectural elements, and furnishings.
The open-plan, double-height kitchen/living/dining area makes the most of the house's 1,700 square feet. The cabinetry is finished in polyurethane, the hardware is by Lockwood and Madinoz, the countertops are Caesarstone, the oven and cooktop are by Ilve, and the integrated refrigerator is by Fisher & Paykel. The pendant lamps are Richard Neutra by Kartell, the cushions are Marimekko, the dining chairs are by Herman Miller, and the "coffee table" is a trio of Alvar Aalto's Stool 60 by Artek.
Here's a view from the kitchen looking through the opened sliding glass walls toward the backyard. The accessories on the dining table are by Muuto. Polly used recycled wood for the staircase treads and handrail.
According to Polly, the finished renovation consists of a "significantly expanded series of connected interior volumes that harness access to sunlight, ventilation, and views of tree canopies, sky, and district beyond."
Skylights help to increase views and natural light. The floors are stained with Feast Watson's charcoal walnut stain and finished in tung oil.
The master bedroom.
The bathroom features a wall-hung sink and toilet by Ideal Standard. A semi-opaque clerestory helps bring in light from the interior hallway.
The towel warmers are by Hydrotherm and the shower fixture is Hansgrohe.
The upstairs family room leads to an expansive deck.
The street-facing facade is relatively unchanged except for the new black paint and white accents.