One of the country’s most distinct and unique suburbs, Sydney’s Centennial Parklands is rich in history. With buildings dating back to the 1800s, the area is now home to the likes of pavilions, equestrian fields and parks, as well as numerous beautiful residences.
While many of these houses hold a lot of character from the 19th century, today’s fast-paced lifestyle has called for a redefinition of living spaces, something Sydney residential architects Peter Willett Associates (PWA), were tasked with in redesigning a grand Edwardian Centennial Park estate.
[contextly_sidebar id=”5ibpE6fjwrVCw71Q63TbmqdHdGxRJR8Y”]The property, once an infamous building for its unauthorised (!) commercial use, is now a stately home, complete with fully functional granny flat. Through thoughtful design, the latest life of the property combines the best of modern architecture without sacrificing its historical aspects. “When you’re dealing with such a historical site such as Centennial Park it’s imperative that you preserve the property’s historical baseline,” says Peter Willett, principal architect of PWA. “We’ve been sympathetic to the original designs and worked to enhance the house rather than fight it. This has allowed us to insert a new floor level into the house and discreetly double the number of rooms.”
The redesigned Centennial Park estate both reinvents current interior trends and embodies sustainable architectural practices. Though it strays away from the commonality of open plan living, with kitchen, living and dining areas separated, the spaces are framed and interconnected by a pattern of door openings that lead to a newly created family room. Here, double glass walls enable light to be pulled inside, creating the feel of a resort-like, internal courtyard.
Just as careful attention was paid to the way indoor spaces connect with the outdoors, the house’s landscape and gardens give a proper nod to biodiversity and the local environment. Visual connections are made to the neighbouring Centennial Parklands through indigenous flora and native grass, also assisting in the reduction of water use.
Truly the best of both worlds, the Centennial Park estate captures both the beauty and history of the Edwardian period, whilst boasting 21st century design and comfort.
