Nelly
A courtyard-led renovation connecting old and new
Project overview
Architect Ironbark Architecture
Location Sydney, Australia
Type Residential
Scope Addition & sustainable design
Completed 2023
Builder Buildup Constructions
Landscape Design Exterior Architecture
Landscape Construction Hemsworth Pools & Landscapes
Photography Luke Butterly
Preserving the original character
The original house was a quaint cottage, charming enough at the front but hindered by an unsympathetic 90s extension at the rear.
The aim of the project was to preserve the cottage’s street presence while introducing a new addition at the rear more conducive to comfortable living.
Reworking the plan
The renovation focused on replacing the rear half of the house with a modern extension, thoughtfully separated from the original structure by a garden courtyard.
This design move not only provided a fresh, leafy outlook to the core of the house but cleverly reoriented the home to embrace a Northerly aspect whilst delineating a sensible transition from old to new.
The result is a bright, inviting space, flooded with natural light, enabling passive heating in winter and minimal reliance on active heating or cooling systems.
A sequence of spaces
As one moves from the cottage’s front to the rear extension, there’s a transition from the old to the new, marked by a series of spaces that gradually reveal themselves.
This journey culminates in a backyard designed for entertainment, complete with a plunge pool and a cabana that can double as a guest studio.
Landscape as extension
The design integrates landscaping to complement the architecture.
Key features like north-facing trellises for native climbers create living, evolving shades that soften the summer sun’s impact.
A balanced transformation
Approaching renovation with a blend of whimsy and thoughtfulness, this project reimagines an existing tired house into a modern, environmentally conscious home.
It celebrates the strengths of the original house’s character, preserved and woven into the contemporary additions.
The outcome is a space that emphasizes liveability, doing so with an inviting charm and a lively spirit, showcasing the delightful possibilities of adaptive and sustainable design.
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Retention of the original cottage street presence
Replacement of the rear portion with a modern extension
Garden courtyard separating old and new
Reorientation of the home to embrace a northerly aspect
Sequence of spaces transitioning from original cottage to new addition
Strong indoor-outdoor connection with backyard, plunge pool and cabana
Cabana designed to function as a guest studio
Integration of landscaping with architectural design
North-facing trellises supporting native climbers for seasonal shading
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Passive design strategy through northern orientation
Use of natural light to create bright internal spaces
Passive heating in winter
Reduced reliance on active heating and cooling systems
Landscape elements used to moderate solar exposure
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Architect Ironbark Architecture
Lead architect Chris Freeburn
Builder Buildup Constructions
Landscape Design Exterior Architecture (Sydney and Noosa)
Landscape Construction Hemsworth Pools & Landscapes
Photography: Luke Butterly
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