A Clever Extension Dramatically Improves 1920s-Era Neutral Bay House

Downie North Architects' carefully curated views help Neutral Bay House to feel brighter, connect to the garden and defy its tightly confined urban site…

Fireplaces, Outdoor Areas, Joinery, Brick Houses, Timber Floors, Timber Deck, Sliding Glass Doors, Curtains, Rugs, Lounge Suites, Clerestory Windows

Joinery, Brick Houses, Sliding Glass Doors, Curtains, Rugs, Clerestory Windows, Armchairs, Coffee Tables, Wall Art

An unaltered and blinkered 1920s semi-detached house with no relationship to its site is reworked to accommodate the needs of a young family to enjoy sunlight, embrace its small garden, and carefully curate and frame its outlook to achieve a space that extends beyond its confined urban site.

Timber Floors, Eames Chairs, Pendant Lighting, Curtains, Dining Areas, Subway Tiles, Wall Art

Joinery, Brick Houses, Pendant Lighting, Curtains, Dining Areas

A light shelf, which bounces daylight deep into the room, was designed to keep the sun skirting outside the building in summer but also allow deep solar penetration in winter. It doubles as a curtin pelmet!

White Houses, Black Kitchens, Timber Floors, White Kitchens, Kitchens, Clerestory Windows

Outdoor Areas, Timber Deck

Above the light shelf, operable windows capture prevailing ocean breezes and cross ventilate the space, while flushing out excess heat.

White Houses, Bathrooms, Skylights, Showers, Basins, Baths

Showers, Subway Tiles, Basins

Exposed brick gives the living area and robust, yet warm feel and, along with the careful placement of windows and ventilation, helps to moderate the internal temperature passively.

Outdoor Areas, Timber Deck, Sliding Glass Doors

Plywood, Bedrooms, Lamps, Wall Art