pace/mcewin residence

sydney, australia 

the design attempts to blast a new response through a traditional paddington terrace house.

designed and constructed at the turn of the millennium, the design takes inspiration from stanley kubrick's film '2001 - a space odyssey' where a series of mysterious black monoliths arouse great curiosity.

in a similar way, the mysterious black beams float through this house, drawing the observer's attention from one source of light to the next - both sculptural element and symbolic signifier, raising questions about function and meaning they locate the occupant within this sculptural composition of spaces filled with magic, mystery + drama.

the design continues an ongoing investigation into the contemporary inner-urban dwelling, with particular attention to the intelligent re-interpretation and adaptive re-use of a housing type (the terrace house) that is ill-suited to sydney's climatic conditions or a 21st century contemporary lifestyle.

the design is one of a continuing series of explorations into sculpted architectural composition - an architectural composition inspired by constructivism, tempered by functional pragmatism and driven by a desire to question preconceived notions about function and form.

along the entry hall there is a ‘memory wall’ – a composition of painted abstract forms, photographs by the owner and the painting, ‘relish’, by marika varady.  the colours from this wall continue through to the suprematist composition in the stairwell, which camouflages the wall and door to the laundry and guest wc.

the formal spaces of the house remain darker and more enclosed at the front and the less formal spaces open up at the rear.  within the constraints of the traditional terrace house block the design draws much-needed new natural light and ventilation into these previously cramped spaces, without compromising privacy to and from the neighbours.

the design opens up the constrained existing terrace with a series of glass incisions - translucent glass walls, glass floors, glazed doors, skylights and clear glass light-shafts draw light and sunshine into the south-facing spaces at the rear.  even the courtyard walls reflect sunshine back into the new extension.

the design creates a series of magical, dramatic living spaces without sacrificing functional constraints.