House for a Sculptor by Miles / Thorp Architects
House For A Sculptor, by Miles / Thorp Architects, is a celebration of art, materiality and tactility, all on a compact four metre wide footprint.
Words: Holly Terry I Photography: Andy Macpherson
Photo: Andy Macpherson
Photo: Andy Macpherson
Situated in Sydney’s inner-west suburb of Rozelle, known for its winding streets and small-scale heritage homes, House For A Sculptor was originally purchased in the 90s by an owner who is a sculptor by trade.
Decades later, Lewis Miles and Chris Thorp of Miles / Thorp Architects were engaged by the creative owner to renovate the back end of the residence by repurposing salvaged elements from the pre-existing workers cottage.
The space, characterised by a minuscule footprint, has been beautifully refigured to include a bedroom on the back, while bringing the bathroom and laundry inside. Today, the space functions as a sort of dual residence, where home meets contemporary art space or studio, delicately balancing character, warmth and functionality.
Spanning 20 years prior to the renovation, the clients had added a series of lean-tos and new structures to the property. With a vision to create a more permanent solution, the architects explain, ‘Our challenge was to instil and embed the memory of some of these elements in the new design through measures, such as recycling all bricks on site and salvaging original sandstone footings to use as landscape elements.’
‘One of the most compelling elements of the design, in our opinion, is its ability to flexibly and seamlessly display an extensive art collection in a space that blurs the boundaries of home and gallery in a tiny footprint.'‘
Housing an extensive art collection amongst a minimalist backdrop, which emphasises functional sustainability, the space was born from the kind of brief an architect always dreams of, but never gets – the inclusion of zero plasterboard whatsoever.
“One of the most compelling elements of the design (in our opinion) is its ability to flexibly and seamlessly display an extensive art collection in a space that blurs the boundaries of home and gallery/studio on a tiny footprint.”
Developing a perfectly juxtaposed backdrop for the client’s vast appreciation for art, Miles / Thorp brought to life a warm palette with an emphasis on tactility and materiality, preserving the home’s pre-existing character.
The client, a long time creative, has a natural fascination with timber following years of working with the material. Given this, the inclusion of unique materials such as bagged recycled bricks, consistent timber species for the floors, wall and ceiling panels, exposed rafters, and doors with slim steel profiles that frame the rear elevation were an obvious choice for Miles / Thorp when considering the home’s new addition.
Creating a living threshold between the original workers cottage and the rear garden, the new renovation was constrained by a very compact four metre wide footprint, meaning that maximising the floor space would provide a challenge.
Ingeniously, the team installed a series of timber framed glass doors exist between the two, providing the illusion of a larger floor plan, and developed a unique reverse brick veneer wall using thin, prefabricated panels (with the help of their engineers, PMI Engineers), allowed the internal floor space to become the priority without sacrificing material comforts.
To come, Miles / Thorp Architects have a number of projects near completion in Sydney, so watch this space!