DATUM HOUSE
Erskineville, Sydney

Completed 2022

THE CHALLENGE
Part of an existing row of four, this modest terrace house was in much need of a substantial upgrade. Unsympathethic additions in the 1990s had disturbed much of the existing building fabric, was poorly built and provided little amenity or connection to the existing rear yard. A new family bath and laundry was required upstairs, while maintaining two bedrooms. An extremely tight site meant the entire construction had to be completed with access only through the front door.

THE SOLUTION
After exploring massing options with our heritage consultant, the existing rear lean-to and balcony was demolished, and a finely crafted new two storey addition built, accomodating a new kitchen and bedroom over. Floor space was increased as much as possible within council controls.
To minimise bulk and scale the floor levels at the rear are set down, enhancing the connection to the new rear garden and extending the useable living space. This area becomes a kitchen and outdoor entertaining area with floating benchtop joinery that carries through into the sitting room as a media unit and stairway step - a single datum that links the spaces together.
A finely crafted new steel staircase becomes the centre point of the home, suspended lightly from the upper floor, it provides much improved access to the new bathroom and bedrooms above. Skylights are used extensively to bring light and ventilation to this upper storey.
Externally all period features of the home were restored, and a new gas fireplace installed, utilising existing chimneys.

A bright, modern dining area with a white round table and white chairs, a minimalist white sideboard, dark hardwood floors, a tall plant in a beige vase, black pillows on a built-in bench, a large blank artwork with a wooden frame on the wall, a window with white blinds, and a glass hanging pendant light.
A two-story building with a beige exterior, featuring a decorative black wrought iron balcony on the upper level and black window frames. The lower level has a window with black bars, a door, and visible house numbers 458 and 460. There are plants and a small garden area in front of the building, along with utility meters and downspouts on the facade.
Modern open-concept kitchen and living space with white cabinets, a marble countertop, black appliances, and a dark wood accent wall, leading to a bright dining area with white chairs and large windows.
Modern kitchen with white cabinetry, a stainless steel gas stove, a decorative sculpture of a human head, a white bowl of apples, and a textured backsplash.
A small workspace with a built-in white desk, a black chair, a desk lamp, books, and decorative items on wooden shelves, next to an open door leading to a balcony.
Modern bathroom shower with large square tiles, ceiling-mounted rainfall showerhead, handheld shower wand, mirror, and a small shelf with toiletries, illuminated by natural light through a skylight.
Modern stair rail with black metal bars on a staircase featuring dark wood steps, against a white wall with a minimalist design.
Interior view of a modern home showing a hallway with dark wooden stairs, white walls, and built-in cupboards, leading to a room with a sofa and a window.
View through a doorway into a bedroom with a window that has wooden blinds, a tree visible outside, and a dark bedspread on the bed inside the room.
View of a minimalist hallway with white walls, dark wood flooring, and a skylight ceiling, leading to a bedroom with a window, a bed covered with a brown blanket, and a small plant on the balcony.
Modern building with glass window, horizontal blinds, and black frame, adjacent to an older white brick building with corrugated metal roof, visible interior with living space and kitchen, wooden fence in the foreground, and trees in the background.

PROJECT TEAM
Builder: Frontier Projects
Structural: Pointmark
Hydraulics: JHA
Photography: Katherine Lu
Styling: Holly Irvine Studio

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