Restored elements with new terrace and fascia/gutter/lighting system. Image: Bart Maiorana
Living room. Image: Bart Maiorana |
Sydney architect/furniture designer Douglas Snelling built this house on a hillside at Northbridge, Sydney, between 1948 and 1951, but sold it before his family moved in. Built principally of local sandstone, timber, steel and glass, it was intended to respond to the natural conditions—bush and slope—of the site. Over the next four decades, the house deteriorated through neglect, unsympathetic alterations and initial compromises in its design and construction (including an inadequate box gutter draining the butterfly roof). In 1994, the current owners commissioned Alexander Tzannes to resuscitate the building to contemporary living standards. In his offices’ works, the original structure has been stabilised and made waterproof, with much of the original fabric conserved or restored. Changes include a self-contained living area behind an original stone retaining wall, and enlargements to a terrace above. The kitchen, study, bathrooms and laundry were renewed. |
Jury VerdictSnelling House was designed and built by the architect Douglas Snelling for his family around 1950. When the current owners purchased the property in 1994, unsympathetic alterations and poor maintenance had left the house in a sorry state. This project has involved conservation, alterations and additions by the current owner’s architect. A keen understanding of what can be viewed as a good example of an unrecognised/unfashionable style of architecture has enabled the architect, together with a sympathetic client, not only to stabilize, The quality of detail and finish has brought great satisfaction to the owners and an assured future to the original Snelling design. |
Original retaining wall - modifications allowed additions to be built behind. Image: Bart Maiorana |
Credits
- Project
- House at Northbridge, NSW
- Architect
- Tzannes
Chippendale, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Project Team
- Alexander Tzannes, Louise Nettleton, Julian Venning
- Consultants
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Builder
Fred Graham
Landscape architect Sue Barnsley Design
Original architect Douglas Snelling
Structural engineer Michael Wholohan
- Site Details
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Location
Northbridge,
Sydney,
NSW,
Australia
- Project Details
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Status
Built
Category Residential
Type New houses
- Client
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Client name
Dianne & John Riedl