The previous state of this already converted warehouse in Sydney’s inner-west had the rare problem of ‘swimming in too much space.’
‘Built boundary to boundary with no setbacks, the home had lots of floor space but was limited for natural light,’ explains Julie Niass, senior associate – interiors at Carter Williamson Architects. ‘The living space relied only on windows to the south elevation, while dormer windows provided limited light to the upstairs bedrooms.’
A renovation designed by Carter Williamson Architects and constructed by David Fletcher Constructions sought to overcome these issues, creating more defined areas within the home with a connection to the outdoors.
The solution lay in subtracting, not adding, to the existing floor plan, by carving ground floor rooms away to create a generous courtyard on entry.
Julie explains, ‘The biggest move we made was to remove almost a third of the floor plan and roof to introduce what is effectively their backyard — a beautiful oasis garden designed and delivered by Dangar Barin Smith.
A central void/lightwell further draws light into the home while providing a visual connection between the two floors, and what Julie calls ‘spatial joy’ — a feeling of wonder, light and openness to the plan.
The upper level houses the three bedrooms (one of which sits above the garage, separated from the main built form by a bridge over the courtyard); two bathrooms; and study.
The interior palette of the home, named Rosso Verde, maintains the appearance of a warehouse, but with an added richness.
‘Our design for Rosso Verde does not follow the typical industrial precedent set for warehouse conversions, which often lean into cold industrial aesthetics,’ says Julie. ‘Instead, we opted for an interior narrative that used a combination of earthy tones and textural materials to create warmth, while celebrating the warehouse bones of the building in a sophisticated and elevated way.’
In the living spaces, red is used in the kitchen island stone and joinery and sits complementary to the green exposed painted ceiling that celebrates the honesty of the warehouse structure.
‘The new facade red we inserted, drawing inspiration from the typical warehouse aesthetic and adopted steel windows with a rational grid breakup,’ says Julie.
These colours are repeated throughout for a consistent narrative in the project, alongside warm ochre tones, aged brass tapware, and timber flooring.
Post alterations, Julie says the home is a ‘fundamentally different place.’ The home is lighter, warmer, more functional, and an ultimately more beautiful space to be.
