Weir Phillips Heritage provided heritage advisory services before and after construction for the renovation of a late Victorian terrace in Surry Hills, Sydney. Designed by architects Akin Atelier, the project involved the sensitive transformation of a c.1880s terrace house, which had previously undergone unsympathetic alterations in the 1980s. As a result, minimal original heritage fabric remained beyond the front façade.
The new design strategy focused on restoring the building’s relationship with Riley Street by removing an intrusive modern front wall and reinstating the original Victorian-era façade. Internally, the renovation introduced a sculptural timber staircase inspired by the refined joinery of the period, celebrating the craftsmanship of traditional Victorian interiors.
Thoughtful internal planning enabled the inclusion of a full-sized bathroom within the narrow dormer roof space, maximising functionality without compromising the building’s heritage character. The result is a sophisticated example of adaptive reuse and contemporary design within a historic terrace house.
Level 19, 100 William Street Sydney NSW 2011 Australia
