A new addition for a historic house in Sydney

November 25, 2015

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

 

Bijl Architecture have completed the contemporary renovation and addition of a home that dates back to the 1910s in Sydney, Australia.

 

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

The front of the home retains the existing historical architecture from the 1910s.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

A skylight fills the hallway with natural light, leading to the new addition at the rear of the home.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

In this room, contemporary furniture and lighting update the space, while still allowing historic features like the fireplace to remind us which part of the house we’re in.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

In the bathroom, a glass partition has been added to separate the shower and bath, from the vanity and toilet.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

The original hallway broadens to connect the old and the new, becoming the hinging point of the house, fanning out into a generous open-plan living space.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

At the rear, a new kitchen, dining and living area opens up to a wide covered deck.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

In the kitchen, a long letterbox window has been used in place of a kitchen backsplash.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

Whitewashed Tasmanian Oak was chosen for the flooring.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

Bi-fold doors open the room completely to the outdoor timber deck, grass and pool beyond.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

Skylights in the decking roof create three visual punctuation marks.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

At the side of the house, the new black bricks and existing light brown bricks are arranged in an artful mosaic-like placement, that form the meeting point of the existing house and the extension.

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts

The Step Down House By Bijl Architecture

Photography by Peter Bennetts