Carter Williamson Architects

Balmain House

Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman

BALMAIN HOUSE

Carterwilliamson architects

ARCHITECTS
Carterwilliamson architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Brett Boardman

LOCATION
Sydney, Australia

CATEGORY
Houses

Preserving and restoring the integrity of the existing 1860’s workers cottage as part of the street scape and the eclectic, urban fabric of Balmain was key to the development of this site. 

The addition needed to be sympathetic, evolving to sit behind and recessive from the original cottage.

Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman

Light and bright, the new building contrasts spatially with the low, intimate spaces of the existing home. Where the two buildings meet they are united by a light connection, a transitional space at the focal point of the home.

Operating as an interface between the interior and exterior condition, the rear façade is a playful composition of strong, off-form concrete elements which mediate the light from the east and west and striking, fixed marble louvres that filter and attenuate northern light in summer yet allow it to be drawn deep inside during winter.

Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman

Not only utilitarian, the rear façade is central to the character of the home, taking on an ephemeral quality as it captures and translates shifts in time and seasons.

The marble louvres glow iridescent blue in the evening as the sun sets and cause dynamic bands of shade to play over the interior walls during the day.

Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman


Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman


Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House


Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman
Balmain House
© Brett Boardman


Balmain House
1st Floor Plan
Balmain House
2nd Floor Plan


Balmain House
Section 01
Balmain House
Section 02

Carter Williamson Architects
T +61 2 97994472
Carter Williamson Architects
102 Smith St, Summer Hill NSW 2130, Australia