Blackwattle House by Allied Office
Designed by Allied Office, Blackwattle House in inner-city Glebe blends opposites of hard and soft, light with dark, to create an elegantly balanced series of spaces.
Words: Georgie Ward I Photography: Clinton Weaver
With a focus on sustainability, the exposed brick wall in the living room recycles the home’s original materials that were bulldozed in demolishment. Photo: Clinton Weaver
The excavated light well has been painted in a pale pink tone to saturate sunlight. Photo: Clinton Weaver
Situated in the streets of inner-city Glebe, Blackwattle House renovation by Allied Office consists of two stand alone buildings connected by a central garden courtyard.
Life and business partners Telly Theodore and Andrew Macdonald, behind Sydney architecture studio Allied Office, were pursuing their traveling dreams in Sri Lanka when they received an email saying they simply had to check out “this house that no-one wants to buy,” recalls Andrew.
In what was once a dark, shadowed home, the two architects set themselves a renovation challenge and turned the 125-year-old residence into a light-flooded expanse of living, kitchen and sleeping spaces.
Conducting a complete revamp, the architect duo gutted the entire internal structure of the single storey home, retaining only the front bedroom facing the street. Andrew and Telly’s joint architectural knowledge lead them to a structural decision: tiered levels to allow for lofty ceilings and connected flow throughout the home.
By cutting and leveling the ground through the length of the site, it allowed for the creation of four distinct platforms. A platform was made for kitchen/dining, then a few steps down to the living space, followed by more that culminated into the courtyard, and finally a couple more down to the rear studio. By separating each space whilst retaining the spatial intimacy, it created a connected, cascading journey throughout the home.
The home consists of two seperate buildings connected by a central garden courtyard. Photo: Clinton Weaver
With an acute focus on sustainability, not a single brick was wasted during the renovation. Photo: Clinton Weaver
Aged brickwork sits side by side with contemporary materials, creating a conversation between past and present. Photo: Clinton Weaver
A myriad of materials make up the home, including lack steel, white plaster, timber, brick and concrete. Photo: Clinton Weaver
The tiered levelling of the home’s spaces was informed by the steep slope of the landscape. Photo: Clinton Weaver
“The home is predominately made of concrete, bagged brick and steel – there isn’t much to be precious about within the spaces. It’s such an easy home to live in.”
The previously quaint single storey terrace with a dark and gloomy subterranean interior, now presents itself as a light-filled, functional family home. Photo: Clinton Weaver
The light-filled kitchen space. Photo: Clinton Weaver
Lofty ceiling heights create openness and sense of space to the previously pokey, humble cottage. Photo: Clinton Weaver
The architectural arrangement meant the ceiling heights could be lofty and open up the narrow terrace space.
‘This was a key element in helping to create an intimate setting as well as a rather extroverted one, once all the doors have been swung open. We have hosted many long dinners and lunches, as well as a few parties for 150 guests by opening everything up. And being made of concrete, bagged brick, and steel - there isn’t much to be precious about. It’s such an easy home to live in,’ says Telly.
With an acute focus on sustainability, not a single brick was wasted during the renovation. Materials from the demolishment were recycled into new parts of the home, from its exposed brick walls to the black oxide concrete floor.
From its ramshackle beginnings, the architect duo successfully resurrected the inner-city home, bringing a modern freshness and touch of life to its interiors – a property redefined by its lush courtyard and natural light that softly permeates the spaces.
Telly and Andrew have injected joy and light into every little corner of the home. Photo: Clinton Weaver
Contrasts of soft and hard, light with dark are seen throughout the home. Photo: Clinton Weaver
The light-filled clean-lined bathroom space. Photo: Clinton Weaver
Attention to detail is seen in the brass taps and towel rack, as well as the light hanging - every detail has been carefully considered. Photo: Clinton Weaver
