View through a light-filled interior corridor with timber floors, built-in bench seating, and framed garden views leading to a living space.
View through a light-filled interior corridor with timber floors, built-in bench seating, and framed garden views leading to a living space.
Bright kitchen with white cabinetry, timber floors, and a central island, framed by a window overlooking a veranda and jacaranda trees.
Bright kitchen with white cabinetry, timber floors, and a central island, framed by a window overlooking a veranda and jacaranda trees.
Minimal white kitchen with a long island, timber stools, skylight-style windows, and soft natural light throughout.
Minimal white kitchen with a long island, timber stools, skylight-style windows, and soft natural light throughout.

Perched high on a steep block overlooking the picturesque suburb of Paddington and its iconic water tower, a simple workers cottage undergoes thoughtful adjustments and extensions. This transformation aims to enhance the connection between its occupants, the panoramic scenery, and the site itself, seamlessly integrating these elements into the daily lives of a growing family.

Perched high on a steep block overlooking the picturesque suburb of Paddington and its iconic water tower, a simple workers cottage undergoes thoughtful adjustments and extensions. This transformation aims to enhance the connection between its occupants, the panoramic scenery, and the site itself, seamlessly integrating these elements into the daily lives of a growing family.

New works include a rear extension separated from the original cottage by a transitional space containing a garden and staircase. This threshold between new and old acts as a lightwell and allows the cottage to remain intact in its original form.

New works include a rear extension separated from the original cottage by a transitional space containing a garden and staircase. This threshold between new and old acts as a lightwell and allows the cottage to remain intact in its original form.

New works include a rear extension separated from the original cottage by a transitional space containing a garden and staircase. This threshold between new and old acts as a lightwell and allows the cottage to remain intact in its original form.

The new extension, conceived as a viewing tower, contains a lounge room and deck. Here, a large picture window frames a view of a magnificent silky oak tree and the Jacarandas that dot Archibald's Hill beyond. Below, a new ground floor level contains utilities, children’s’ bedrooms, and areas for play.

The new extension, conceived as a viewing tower, contains a lounge room and deck. Here, a large picture window frames a view of a magnificent silky oak tree and the Jacarandas that dot Archibald's Hill beyond. Below, a new ground floor level contains utilities, children’s’ bedrooms, and areas for play.

Credits:

Town Planner: DTS
Structural Engineer: Inertia Engineering
Interior Design: Jeffries Studio
Builder: P & R Lee Builders
Photography: Catherine Schusler

Living room window framing jacaranda trees in bloom, with a built-in bench, timber floors, and soft afternoon light.
Living room window framing jacaranda trees in bloom, with a built-in bench, timber floors, and soft afternoon light.
Light-filled dining nook with round timber table, sculptural pendant light, and timber floors beside a filtered window opening.
Light-filled dining nook with round timber table, sculptural pendant light, and timber floors beside a filtered window opening.
Timber stair and corridor connecting interior living spaces to a screened verandah, with soft daylight filtering through timber battens.
Timber stair and corridor connecting interior living spaces to a screened verandah, with soft daylight filtering through timber battens.
Light-filled living room with timber floors and built-in seating, framed by a large picture window overlooking jacaranda trees.
Light-filled living room with timber floors and built-in seating, framed by a large picture window overlooking jacaranda trees.
Covered timber deck with white balustrade, outdoor dining setting, and leafy suburban views beyond.
Covered timber deck with white balustrade, outdoor dining setting, and leafy suburban views beyond.
Covered balcony framed by white timber screens, overlooking jacaranda trees and a suburban hillside, with outdoor dining set in view.
Covered balcony framed by white timber screens, overlooking jacaranda trees and a suburban hillside, with outdoor dining set in view.
Minimal bathroom with floating timber vanity, mirrored cabinetry, round basin, and soft natural light.
Minimal bathroom with floating timber vanity, mirrored cabinetry, round basin, and soft natural light.
Light-filled utility space with integrated sink, open shelving, stainless fridge, and timber stair connecting to upper level.
Light-filled utility space with integrated sink, open shelving, stainless fridge, and timber stair connecting to upper level.
Compact laundry with integrated sink and washer, opening directly to a small outdoor utility yard.
Compact laundry with integrated sink and washer, opening directly to a small outdoor utility yard.
Quiet sitting nook with full-height window, sheer curtains, and leafy suburban views beyond.
Quiet sitting nook with full-height window, sheer curtains, and leafy suburban views beyond.
Rear elevation of a Queenslander home set into a sloping, tree-lined site with stepped garden levels.
Rear elevation of a Queenslander home set into a sloping, tree-lined site with stepped garden levels.

Perched high on a steep block overlooking the picturesque suburb of Paddington and its iconic water tower, a simple workers cottage undergoes thoughtful adjustments and extensions. This transformation aims to enhance the connection between its occupants, the panoramic scenery, and the site itself, seamlessly integrating these elements into the daily lives of a growing family.

New works include a rear extension separated from the original cottage by a transitional space containing a garden and staircase. This threshold between new and old acts as a lightwell and allows the cottage to remain intact in its original form.

The new extension, conceived as a viewing tower, contains a lounge room and deck. Here, a large picture window frames a view of a magnificent silky oak tree and the Jacarandas that dot Archibald's Hill beyond. Below, a new ground floor level contains utilities, children’s’ bedrooms, and areas for play.

Credits:

Town Planner: DTS
Structural Engineer: Inertia Engineering
Interior Design: Jeffries Studio
Builder: P & R Lee Builders
Photography: Catherine Schusler

(Other works)

Oxford Cottage

Private Residence

Queensland, Australia

Oxford Cottage

Private Residence

Queensland, Australia

The Stables

Private Residence

Queensland, Australia

The Stables

Private Residence

Queensland, Australia