Malabar House

Completed: 2013, Sydney Australia

This small intervention on an original 1950s cottage has had a large impact on the amenity of the home.

The house was transformed from an old, dark, disconnected, pokey set of separate rooms into a bright, light-filled “entertaining and children’s delight”.

The changes were simple and cost effective, including:

• Opening up an internal wall that previously divided the living space from the kitchen and imposed a dark living room. This new flow provided a seamless and connected living space — filled with northern light and ventilation

• Demolishing an old asbestos garage that dominated the rear garden and prioritising a larger garden and covered deck that performs as the main “living room” of the house

• Transforming the rear wall of the house from a series of small doors and windows into dramatic large open sliding doors & windows that provide a seamless internal/external living space and an eatery to the kitchen

• A new kitchen and built-in joinery

Consultants

Builder: ADB Group

Structural: Istruct Consulting Engineers

Landscape: Grant Maundrell Landscape Architect

Land Surveyor: Mitchell Land Surveyors