Paddington x 2 by MCK Architects

The classic heritage-listed Paddington terrace, for all its Victorian charm and beauty, has its disadvantages. They tend to be dark, narrow and cold places, suited to the inner-city dweller but lacking the warmth and space of a typical “family home”. Ofcourse, there is a reason why these residences are much admired and sought-after. They are an important part of Sydney’s architectural fabric and absolutely integral to Paddington’s aesthetic and historical composition.

The challenge for Sydney-based architects MCK was to transform two such terraces into one family home for five with all the characteristics that the original terraces lacked - light, space and vibrancy - without destroying their external character. In a sense, these architects were invited to reinvent the terrace and challenge the classic conception of these buildings as dark and dreary homes. They were required to achieve all in accordance with the stringent heritage regulations of one of Australia’s strictest conservation areas. And this is exactly what they did.

The result is Paddington x 2, which, to all appearances, maintains the external form of its original two terraces. While the outside of these houses remains unchanged, albeit refurbished, their interiors have undergone a dramatic transformation. The houses were completely gutted, and inside the shells of these inner-city Victorian terraces is a whole new kind of residence - a spacious, cotemporary, environmentally sustainable family home.

MCK’s clients were looking for a house that could take their family into the next 20 years and beyond. They required a courtyard and pool, and rear lane garaging. MCK developed this brief and took it to the next level, providing their clients with a series of functional living spaces that utilise space in dynamic and highly effective ways. The interior of this three-floored house deliberately challenges the original design of its two terraces. Ornate pendant lamps bring light into those areas where the houses many windows and skylights cannot penetrate. White walls capture this brightness, and the organic woodgrains of the floorboards provide depth in the house’s inner living areas.

Moving towards the rear of the house, natural light pours in through large windows. MCK had the idea of creating a living space to the rear of site, over the top of the basement garages, connected to the central courtyard. This was not in line with the clients’ initial intention, which was to confine all living spaces to the space under the roof of the original terraces. The resulting area is one of the most versatile and inviting sections of the house. Consistency with the courtyard area is created through the use of concrete flooring in both. The courtyard exists as a continuation of the living room, yet the living area maintains its independent function as an indoor area, with tables and a workbench. The cool materials of this indoor/outdoor space resist the influx of sunshine into the area, providing a safe-haven from the sun whilst creating a stylistic unity with the coolness of the pool. This is counter-balanced by a vibrant grass patch to one side of the courtyard, which invites the sunshine and gives a welcome infusion of green into this predominantly grey space.

MCK sacrificed floor-space in order to create two double height spaces, one within the terrace and the other in the rear living area. These spaces give a sense of grandeur to the house that is thoroughly alien to its original design. In opening up certain areas of the house in this way, the architects have allowed for an easy flow of light down into the lower levels of the house. The double height spaces also invite correspondence between the levels of the house is a way that is not usually possible between the various secluded areas of a typical terrace. This is consistent with the brief of the architects to create a dynamic family space. The house provides areas that are private and independent of one another but also relate to each other spatially.

The house’s design is firmly in line with MCK’s commitment to environmentally friendly design. Passive solar principles are applied to the design with additional hydronic heating and pool pump heating. The main addition to the rear was driven by the need to gain good solar access on a north/south-oriented site. The architects also reused existing building stock where possible, cleverly adapting recycled materials to make them viable. The house was carefully designed to allow for good crossventilation, and the introduction of dormer windows to attic spaces also allows for environmentally sustainable temperature control.

Paddington x 2 is a great example of how contemporary design can be used to enhance, rather than threaten, heritage housing. These antiquated terraces have been given new life, which will ensure their viability as functional modern living spaces into the future. The juxtaposition of old and new creates an aesthetically satisfying place that can truly be said to have the best of both worlds - the beauty of the Paddington terrace and the utility of innovative environmentally sustainable modern design. +

PHOTOGRAPHER Willem Rethmeier

1. The indoor/outdoor living area above the house’s garage epitomises the bright, open, spatially dynamic design of the terraces.

2. A glass partition hints at the division that once existed between these two terraces whilst creating a separation of space in the courtyard.

3. Cool concrete makes the kitchen at the rear of the house a great place to hideaway from the sun.

4. The interior of Paddington x 2 is clean and simple, a reflection of contemporary design principles.

5.Generous windows inundate the house with light, thus transforming these once dim terraces into a bright and vibrant home.