Paddo Pool Terrace

One often learns history as the archaeological stratification of time, where layers refer to ages, from the most ancient to the most recent. In this terrace house in Paddington, the ‘layers’ are the four storeys of a multigenerational home; each floor dedicated to a generation, with the oldest, the most senior, at its sandstone base, and the youngest at the top. Such vertical living is enhanced by the inclusion of a home lift to allow those for whom stairs are a strain on the knees the opportunity to experience the higher stratifications of the house.

The history of this home of heritage significance is also an archaeological cross section of the history of both terrace houses, and of the suburb of Paddington. The term ‘terrace’ has its origins in the garden terraces of British late Georgian architecture. Garden terraces were streets of houses with uniform fronts and heights that created an ensemble more stylish than the row houses that characterised working villages and towns. Developers in London and Bath borrowed the name from the naturalistic urban planning passion of the time. Terraces were also an adaptation to capitalise on rising land values and demand for homes in the fast-growing cities of the industrial age throughout the world. The Paddo Pool Terrance was itself a result of one of these early subdivisions.

Paddington’s subdivisions, close to the city and with north-facing positions that captured views of the harbour and the cooling sea breezes, were popular with the middle-class of the time. Maps and documentation from the 1870s show that the terrace originally had a coach house, was endowed of a particularly generous garden, and was probably built for the Chief Clerk of the Legislative Council, son of an English empire bailiff and a Russian aristocrat.

Over the years, bankruptcy, infidelity, divorce, remarriage, saw the house pass through the hands of dentists, tailors, builders and, in the early 1970s, a labourer following Paddington’s loss of prestige. Eventually an architect with a passion for history purchased the property and housed his offices there from 1973, a reflection of the rediscovery of the charm of Paddington as a suburb and the intrinsic beauty of the terrace house.

Today, Paddington is a place in high demand with CEOs, urban professionals, and global dwellers and a record of this evolution is contained within the walls of this terrace home, and we are proud to have added a new layer in adapting this vertical typology to suit our modern times.

As to what has been added. To begin with, Luigi Rosselli Architects sought to introduce as much light as possible to the interior of the house. Terraces can tend to be quite dark due to their hermetic party walls. The solution to this was to create a two-storey high atrium with glass roof, inserted between the party wall and the ‘lean to’ wing.

The atrium allows our vertical family to communicate easily with each other and provides a bright and luminous living/dining and kitchen hub to meet in. Beyond the atrium, the house opens out to that previously mentioned generous garden, designed by Dangar Barin Smith in an arboreal and lush style reminiscent of a painting by Henri (Le Douanier) Rousseau. There are no tigers hidden within the garden, instead there is a giant egg in the form of a swimming pool. The swimming pool is a symbol of our post- industrial society, a hymn to leisure, and it replaces the original and long-lost coaching house and stables.

Finally with the help of Handelsmann + Khaw, under the direction of Tania Handelsmann, Jane McNeill of Luigi Rosselli Architects worked to blend the beautiful original finishes and materials, now over 150 years old, with high-quality contemporary additions such as the joinery, wall finishes, and stone floors.

The Pool Terrace can be read as proof that the ancient typology of the row house can adapt and evolve and endure over time without losing its history.

Credits
Location: City of Sydney
Design Architect: Luigi Rosselli
Project Architect: Jane McNeill
Landscape Architect: William Dangar for Dangar Barin Smith
Structural Consultant: Partridge
Interior Designer: Tania Handelsmann for Handelsmann + Khaw
Builder: Buildability Pty Ltd
Joiner: David Reddy Furniture
Pool & Spa Contractor: Malibu Pools NSW
Stonemason: Bobby Choroomi – GMW (Granite Marble Works)
Photography: Prue Ruscoe

Grey sandstone steps lead from the pool up to the patio, shaded by a striped awning and potted trees, and furnished with white contemporary sofas and tables — Dappled light falls across the raised stone terrace, where a long sculptural bench, rounded side tables and a looped rocking chair sit in front of the folding glazed doors. Through the openings, a sandstone wall, the kitchen and the soft pink living space can be glimpsed, while oversized planters and olive trees frame the scene.
© Prue Ruscoe

Cool, pink-toned stone coping encircles the swimming pool, with large ferns and trees lining the edges, creating a tropical oasis at the heart of Sydney — A sculptural moulded lounge chair sits on the stone paving beside the curved edge of the pool. Dense banana palms and broad-leafed planting form a cool green backdrop, with the turquoise water reflecting the foliage above.
© Prue Ruscoe

A nod to its heritage, the terrace façade and white decorative filigree are maintained, albeit refreshed with a pale pink paint work — The restored street facade of the terrace is finished in a soft blush render, with arched openings, a cast iron lace balustrade and delicate fretwork on the verandah. A sandstone entry stair and a granite paved forecourt with grass joints lead to the front door, while a rounded contemporary addition rises discreetly to the side.
© Prue Ruscoe

A masonry addition for the new lift is pink and ends in a semicircle at the top of the wall. Steel white lattice shades the full-height windows of the addition — A close view of the front elevation shows the original veranda details alongside the new addition, whose slender lattice panel and arched door sit beside the heritage house. The white picket fence, climbing plants, and sandstone base connects the old and new elements along the street.
© Prue Ruscoe

View from the first floor balcony, with tiled flooring, white filigree balustrade and steel columns, that looks onto the distant harbor afar — Ornate cast iron balustrading, richly patterned with arched panels and scrolling detail, frames a view from the upper veranda across the rooftops to the harbour. Sunlight throws lacy shadows across the timber floor, while the canopy of a leafy tree softens the edge of the balcony.
© Prue Ruscoe

Crazy paving, softened by the moss between each paver, leads to the elliptical pool terrace, which has two circular pool of different sizes at each end — Irregular stone pavers set in a mat of low groundcover wind down from the terrace towards the pool. Dark leaved taro, banana palms, and olive trees line the path, with the curved pool and round spa enclosed by a slim fence beyond.
© Prue Ruscoe

The crazy paving leads to the grey stone patio, furnished by contemporary white sofas and tables in contrast to the dark green vegetation around it — The stone terrace is seen as a series of soft shadows and clean forms. A sculptural lounge, round tables and a long bench sit on the paving, which curves around a bed of clipped hedging and climbing foliage.
© Prue Ruscoe

Along the party wall, ferns overspill along the stacked in-wall planters into the patio, landscaped by Dangar Barin Smith — Sculptural concrete seating is arranged across the sunlit terrace, with a wall of climbing vines creating a living backdrop. The garden steps down through olive trees and tropical planting towards the pool, with glimpses of the harbour beyond.
© Prue Ruscoe

The new atrium is claimed as an interior space by new conservatory walls, but still connects to the outdoor through the travertine floor flowing onto the patio and the glass roof above — Inside, a double height living space, curved blush sofas, a rattan side table and a woven pendant floor lamp sit on pale stone floors. Sheer curtains and open doors draw the eye through to the terrace and garden, while the original cast iron lacework is visible at the upper level above the kitchen.
© Prue Ruscoe

The new conservatory wall, built between the existing house with the party wall, features reused filigree balcony and large glass windows, encouraging light to filter into the atrium — In the double height living space, curved blush sofas and a round oak dining table sit beneath towering windows and sheer floor to ceiling curtains. Open doors draw the eye out to the tropical garden, while the original cast iron lacework is visible on the balconies above.
© Prue Ruscoe

Handelsmann + Khaw blends the original heritage house with modern elements through simple structured furnitures and artfully placed decor — Across the dining table towards the garden, a curved blush sofa faces a tall opening framed by sheer curtains. Beyond the glass, banana palms and the curve of the pool bring greenery and light deep into the room, with a woven floor lamp and rattan chair adding warm, natural texture.

Once opening onto the exterior, an existing window with its original filigree balustrade and swing window now looks down onto the new atrium — A juliet balcony with a delicate cast iron balustrade is set into the rendered wall of the atrium. The ornate lacework and original timber frame are preserved in crisp white, with the shadow of a second balustrade falling across the foreground.
© Prue Ruscoe

The existing balconies, once facing the garden, now looks onto the atrium, allowing families to connect with each other despite a vertical separation — Daylight pours into the atrium from the glass roof above, lighting the original sandstone wall at its centre. A round oak table with woven chairs and a sheepskin armchair sit in front, framed by timber joinery on either side.
© Prue Ruscoe

Preserving heritage, reducing emission: like much of the house, the original loungeroom is kept, renewing its old fireplace and existing traditional balcony — In an upper level room, a sculptural alabaster pendant hangs in front of open French doors with a view across the rooftops to the harbour. A marble fireplace with a tiled hearth, a timber lounge chair, a woolly stool and a folding timber table sit on warm timber floorboards beneath the original cornicing.
© Prue Ruscoe

Simple timber chair, lamp and table creates a little reading nook next to the old fireplace while enjoying the warm sunlight from the open balcony door — A sculptural alabaster pendant hangs beneath an ornate ceiling rose in this upper level sitting room. A marble fireplace with a cast iron grate and tiled hearth anchors the corner, with a timber lounge chair, woolly stool and folding oak table gathered on the warm floorboards. A green canvas rests on the mantel, and the original cast iron balustrade is glimpsed through the open French door.
© Prue Ruscoe

The original timber staircase is partially demolished, yet through the expert work of Buildability, the new and the old steps fuse seemlessly — An arched plaster opening with decorative corbels frames the original timber staircase, its polished handrail and turned newel post sweeping up to the next level. Warm timber treads and floorboards contrast with the soft walls, while light from the upper landing falls across the hall.
© Prue Ruscoe

Bringing nature into the hearth - The kitchen looks onto the patio and pool, and enjoys the gentle sunlight through generous sliding doors — A marble topped kitchen island with a brushed brass tap sits in front of folding glazed doors, which open to the planted terrace beyond. A woven floor lamp stands by the doors, and a sculptural stone bench is visible outside among climbing vines, tying the kitchen to the garden.
© Prue Ruscoe

The deep burgundy veins of the Calacatta Viola splashback adds a raw opulence to the rows of white timber panelled kitchen cabinets and brass hardware — A close view of the kitchen joinery shows soft grey pink shaker cabinetry above and below a dramatic marble splashback and benchtop. Fluted glass panels in the upper cabinets reveal glimpses of crockery, while a brass tap and ceramic vase add warmth and detail.
© Prue Ruscoe

Handelsmann + Khaw blends the original heritage house with modern elements through simple structured furnitures and artfully placed decorative details — The kitchen, living and garden connect within the double height space, where curved blush sofas and a rattan side table sit beneath sheer floor to ceiling curtain. The marble island and panelled cabinetry sit to one side, while a large opening draws the eye through to potted palms and lush planting beyond.
© Prue Ruscoe

Fluted glass door panels framed in white slide to reveal or conceal the pantry at the side of the kitchen, joinery by David Reddy Furnitures — Seen through fluted glass sliding screens, a compact kitchen nook is fitted with soft grey pink shaker cabinetry and an open oak shelf holding a white teapot and cup. Twin brass taps rise from a dramatic marble splashback and benchtop, while a towering branch in the foreground adds a delicate touch.
© Prue Ruscoe

The kitchen island has white timber panels on all sides and topped by a thin calacatta viola slab. The reflective brass base gives the illusion of lightness — The marble topped island sits in front of fluted glass sliding panels framed in a soft blush. A brass tap and ceramic vase sit on the island, while the cabinetry beyond reveals oak shelving and a rich marble splashback. A bronze toned plinth lifts the island from the pale stone floor.
© Prue Ruscoe

A fluted cabinet wrapped in brown Verona leather, with a crystalline pendant light hanging above, distinguishes the wardrobe space in the master bedroom — A curved sideboard clad in ribbed, upholstered panelling sits beneath a marble top, stacked with books and a small sculptural bowl. A glass flower form pendant hangs above, while a floor length blush linen curtain frames the timber French doors and the cast iron balustrade beyond.
© Prue Ruscoe

luigi rosselli architects paddo pool terrace 024 — In the main bedroom, floor to ceiling oak joinery lines the wall, softened by ribbed, upholstered storage and glass flower form pendants. A decorative ceiling rose and original cornicing sit above, while blush curtains frame timber French doors opening to the veranda and its lacework balustrade.
© Prue Ruscoe

This Calacatta Viola has creamy white clasts floating in a sea of pink marble. The master ensuite vanity complements the pale pink wall tiles and gold towel rails — A mirrored cabinet with an arched top reflects the pink tiles walls, brass towel rail and shower niche of the bathroom. Below, a basin carved from rosy marble is fitted with wall mounted brass tapware, with an elongated wall light adding a dark, sculptural accent.

The powder room is thematically pink, with Calacatta Viola vanity, champagne patterned wallpaper, and pink pendant light and circle basin — In the powder room, a hand-painted wall mural of wisteria branches wraps the soft pink walls. A floating marble vanity with a blush stone basin sits beneath a tall arched mirror and a pair of pink glass pendants, finished with brass tapware and door hardware.
© Prue Ruscoe