Trisha Croaker May 06, 2012
The Tusculum residence.
This tired subdivided terrace house has been returned to its elegant best with a mix of modern.
When a couple who'd lived in and loved Hong Kong moved to Sydney nine years ago, Potts Point seemed an obvious relocation destination - its dense, high-rise population and yet friendly village feel being instantly and invitingly familiar.
Finding a turn-of-century terrace house there four years ago which "offered a once in a lifetime opportunity" cemented their dedication to the area. Located in a quiet, tree-lined street, with a stately heritage-listed facade, behind closed doors it was a noisy mishmash of rooms forming four separate apartments.
William Smart of Smart Design Studio was brought in to turn the jumble of rooms into a cohesive, streamlined whole.
His brief was to create a modern, minimalist, contemporary, oriental home, with a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Smart's first move was to design a sculptural, three-storey spiral steel staircase at the heart of the house, using it as an exposed spine interconnecting all rooms, divided over six split levels.
"In every project, there should be a simple idea that holds it together," Smart says.
"In this house, we've got two houses grafted together - the reconstructed, more formal 'old' part and the 'new' contemporary and more minimal addition, designed in a sympathetic but new language, using the stairs to graft both elements."
The staircase spans the width of the building and features delicate, fan-like steel treads cantilevered from a central steel post.
As you climb, one spacious living area or bedroom is revealed on each level, alternating between the three old building levels and three new building levels.
Each space feels invitingly warm and uncluttered, thanks in part to 10 very cleverly designed concealed doors and openings, hiding away everything from a queen-size guest bed to a state-of-the-art music room, and garage door.
Materials and treatments are designed to be both different and complementary, ensuring a cohesive feel to all spaces.
In the old section, finishes are contemporary but in keeping with a stripped classical style - deep flush skirting boards, panelled doors, wide gloss white painted floorboards and lusciously rich coloured set plaster walls.
In the new, white and black feature - white floorboards, with floor to ceiling, black-stained American Ash joinery featuring on all three levels. Bronze window frames, ironmongery and trims unite both sections.
A 13-metre, clear span wall of sliding doors connects to a terraced Japanese garden forming the garage roof.
The clients credit Smart with the successful result. Smart credits the client. A true collaboration.