Chimney House by Atelier DAU
Armed with a neutral palette, Chimney House is the perfect backdrop to an art-filled home in a Redfern heritage-listed terrace.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Tom Ferguson
Antique furniture is juxtaposed against the minimal and modern interior. Photo - Tom Ferguson.
Sleek Black Pearl timber veneer by New Age Veneers features in the kitchen. Photo - Tom Ferguson.
Atelier DAU were tasked with the renovation of a heritage-listed house on a leafy suburban street in Redfern, alongside a contemporary addition in the empty block next to the 100-year-old terrace. The brief was centred around the owners’ art collection—as well as dreams of a modern bathroom with a large freestanding tub and protection of the family’s adored magnolia tree in the rear courtyard.
Unsurprisingly, the owners are art collectors and run a successful art framing business nearby. As such, a neutral palette of whites and greys were employed as not to distract from the extensive collection, while polished concrete floors finish the gallery aesthetics.
“The interior palette was intentionally subdued to provide a backdrop to the client’s extensive collection of artworks,” Emma Rees-Raaijmakers, the architect and director of Atelier DAU explains. “Some pieces influenced the design, such as the Aboriginal artwork totem that forms the central spine of the home as it rises beside sweeping curved stairs.”
The architects used the framework of the existing building to jigsaw the addition within, creating a stacked effect of old and new. A design concept that continues inside the polished rooms, as antique furniture sits comfortably next to modern fittings. The sleek Black Pearl timber veneer by New Age Veneers in the kitchen juxtaposes the dining table that appears to come directly from a historic country house.
“The interior palette was intentionally subdued to provide a backdrop to the client’s extensive collection of artworks,” says Emma Rees-Raaijmakers, the architect and director of Atelier DAU. Photo - Tom Ferguson.
“The brief was to design a ‘forever home’ that would both extend the client’s existing terrace and provide a gallery-like interior for their extensive art collection.”
The juxtaposing dining table appears to come directly from a historic country house. Photo - Tom Ferguson.
Large windows were also required to the rear of the inner-city home, to let the light bathe the interiors of the terrace and open up to the courtyard and precious magnolia tree—which was moved two feet to accommodate the new dining area.
In the main bathroom, an antique bathtub takes centre stage upon graphic tilling which continues into the hallway. “The inclusion of the bold graphic porcelain tiles … [is] an intentional break from this palette —adding a certain drama to the most active and dynamic part of the home— helping to unify the spaces and granting the illusion of expanding space,” Emma adds. “This motif is subtly referenced upon the perforated design of the façade which also alludes to the pitched rows of the neighbourhood’s terraced rows.”
At the front of the two traversing homes, honouring the classic façade of the street, the contemporary addition was constructed from aged brass material, perforated to offer privacy yet open to streaming sunshine. A Juliet balcony completes the aesthetics as a home that cherishes both art and design.
The clean and subdued palette of the interior is the perfect backdrop for the owners artwork. Photo - Tom Ferguson.
An antique bathtub takes centre stage upon graphic tilling which continues into the hallway. Photo - Tom Ferguson.
“The façade provides a level of privacy internally while contributing to the narrow streetscape – with operable shutters creating a changeable face. At night the perforated facade projects a play of light and pattern across the street.”
“At night the perforated facade projects a play of light and pattern across the street,” says Emma ees-Raaijmakers. Photo - Tom Ferguson.