Meow Meow

Dean Williams, director of Architect George, shares this converted 1930s workers’ cottage with his partner and their dog, Monty. He’s a man who understands that in dense urban environments, Australian architecture often “suffers from being a little too private”. His goal for this project was to make a home that could “breathe and open up to the rear laneway or a park or the street,” fostering a deeper connection with the outdoors and the surrounding community.

From Cramped to Connected: A Heritage Remodel’s Strategic Moves

Originally, this modest cottage clocked in at a mere 35 square meters. Williams describes its previous state as “very enclosed, very small,” with a series of “pokey rooms” that left the living space completely disconnected from the rear courtyard. Even their sleeping quarters were in a small attic, accessible only by a pull-down ladder. They lived in this setup for two to three years before embarking on the renovation.

The challenge? The house sits within a heritage conservation area, meaning the charming 1930s street frontage couldn’t be altered. This constraint, however, became a catalyst for innovation. All the significant design interventions are hidden at the rear, out of public view. The renovation involved strategically removing internal walls and adding a rear bathroom, ultimately expanding the total size to just under 60 square meters – roughly 645 square feet. This move alone dramatically improved the site.

Inside the Transformation: Light, Flow, and Clever Engineering

Step through the slightly raised front door, and you’re immediately in an open-plan living space that feels far larger than its dimensions suggest. The original fireplace, meticulously restored, anchors the living room, while dark brown engineered timber floorboards stretch seamlessly through all rooms, contrasting with crisp white walls to create an expansive feel.

The kitchen is a prime example of intelligent integration. Built ingeniously around an original chimney breast, it features stone benchtops that elegantly wrap up as a splashback. One side handles the heavy lifting with integrated dishwasher, sink, and cooking facilities, while the other, tucked neatly under the stair, conceals an integrated fridge, pantry, and ample storage. A slender stone island bench serves as a social hub, perfect for gathering during entertaining.

A subtle single step descends from the kitchen into the dining area, creating a clear yet visually connected delineation of space. Exposed ceiling beams in the dining area not only add perceived height but also provide smart shelving for books and belongings. Critically, a semi-internal light well, filled with dense greenery, “drenches the dining space and kitchen with sunlight all day long,” transforming the core of the home.

Even the ground floor bathroom, a new addition, is a standout. Positioned in a previously “unoccupiable” triangular sliver of the courtyard, it’s a “sculptural element” in the garden. Inside, a curved mosaic shower is described as a “warm hug,” illuminated by a glass skylight. In a unique touch, the bathroom’s roof is planted with greenery, designed to cascade down its concrete block walls over time. Green terrazzo floor tiles create a seamless, single-slab appearance, maximizing the sense of luxury.

Upstairs: Private Zones and Hidden Gems

Ascending to the first floor, you find thoughtfully designed private spaces. The main bedroom, located at the rear, offers serene views of the courtyard and a nearby community garden park. Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes provide comprehensive storage, and a “hidden door” leads out to the new green roof. In a personal nod, salvaged stained glass panels from their old rear door cast “beautiful coloured patterns across the wall in the bedroom” when the sun shines.

The second bedroom, formerly their attic sleeping space, now serves a dual purpose as a guest room and home office. Nestled within the existing roof pitch, it benefits from a new, large skylight for light and ventilation. Full-width storage on one side cleverly utilizes old roof space, proving no corner is wasted. A second bathroom upstairs maintains the consistent material palette of the ground floor and includes a small, north-facing window for excellent all-day sunlight.

Even the courtyard, despite its “awkward shapes and angles,” acts as a “seamless extension of the living spaces”. And an old outhouse at the back was smartly repurposed into a laundry, providing space for a washing machine and shed supplies.

The Bigger Picture: Rethinking What We Need

Williams’s philosophy extends beyond this single project. He stresses the importance of upgrading and repurposing existing houses rather than demolishing them. Not only is it “more cost effective,” but it’s crucial for “maintaining our historical connection to our cities” and retaining streetscapes.

This Sydney cottage serves as a compelling argument for a shift in perspective. Williams believes we need to “readjust our thinking of what a comfortable contemporary home is” – challenging notions around bedroom sizes or doorway widths. His work demonstrates that “nothing has to be given up to live in a smaller home,” and in fact, deliberate design can provide improved access to sunlight, the outdoors, and ventilation, creating a living experience that is generous in every sense of the word. This isn’t just good design; it’s smart urbanism.