Elevated Living
The upper level is positioned to draw in light, view and cross ventilation — kitchen, dining and living spaces sit above the street and open onto an external terrace that extends the living area outward rather than enclosing it. The traditional terrace roof joins at the ridge to the new addition, its underside folding into a ceiling that lifts gently over the stairs and living spaces, marking the point where old and new meet without departing from the terrace’s original profile.
Below, the bedrooms are set into a sheltered lower floor, level with the laneway — a quieter, more private register beneath the openness above. The master bedroom includes a discreet retreat, set apart from the main sleeping area, giving it privacy without adding visible bulk to the building. A single artwork is integrated into the stair and living sequence, marking the transition between the two levels.
Design Excellence
Optimising Space, Adding Function
The original house was a three-bedroom terrace lacking natural light, ventilation and space. The proposal adds the area a growing family needs, while mitigating bulk and shadow impact on neighbouring properties. This is achieved through a split-level arrangement: the lower floor sits level with the laneway, the stair splits to reduce circulation area, and the upper floor is set lower than a conventional two-storey addition would require.
The result is a four-bedroom home with a study and external terrace, with improved solar access, a more direct connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and room for the family to grow into over time — all within a form that respects the scale and profile of the original terrace.
A Considered Approach to Sustainability
Sustainability on this project is addressed through the design itself, rather than added on afterward. The split-level arrangement and elevated living spaces increase solar access and improve cross ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical heating, cooling and lighting. Working within the existing terrace form, rather than replacing it, also limits embodied carbon compared to a full rebuild — retaining the original structure where it still has useful life, and adding only where the brief genuinely calls for more space.
Connect With Us
If you’re planning a terrace renovation or extension on Sydney’s North Shore, get in touch to discuss your project.