Gunyah 1870
Restoring heritage, crafting contemporary living
Project overview
Architect Ironbark Architecture
Location Sylvania, Sydney, Australia
Type Residential
Scope Heritage restoration & addition
Builder Freshbuilt Constructions
Photography Ironbark Architecture and Freshbuilt Constructions
A layered history
Around 1870 a small cottage was built on the grounds of Thomas Holt who had begun building a grand residence known as ‘Sutherland House’ in the location of present day Holts Point Place Boat Ramp on the shore of the Georges River.
The cottage along with two other cottages likely provided accommodation for groundskeepers and their families.
In 1918 Sutherland House was destroyed by fire, but over 150 years after it was first built, one of those cottages still stands, now known as ‘Gunyah’.
Investigating the original fabric
After falling into a state of disrepair extensive heritage and engineering investigation works were undertaken to determine the original and most significant parts of the building to inform how a sensitive addition might be created to enable the original cottage to be restored and preserved for future generations.
A contemporary addition, carefully considered
Ironbark Architecture’s Sutherland Shire architect and design team proposed the construction of a modern addition to be built behind the existing cottage that when viewed from the street is obscured from view by the original building, allowing for the amenities required of a modern family home, whilst preserving the fabric and curtilage of the historic building.
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Restoration of a circa 1870 heritage cottage
Identification and preservation of the most significant original building elements
Contemporary addition located behind the existing cottage
Addition visually concealed from the street by the original structure
Retention of the building’s historic fabric and curtilage
Design accommodating modern family living within a heritage context
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Extensive heritage investigation to determine original building elements
Engineering analysis to assess condition and guide intervention
Sensitive integration of new and existing structures
Design approach prioritising preservation alongside functionality
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Architect Ironbark Architecture
Lead architect Chris Freeburn
Builder Freshbuilt Constructions
Photography Ironbark Architecture and Freshbuilt Constructions
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Work to start on restoration and extension of shire’s oldest house
St George & Sutherland Shire Leader, October 9, 2018
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