Houses Australia – August 2019

62 BALMAIN ROCK

BalmainRockexcelsforitshumanscale,andfor

thewarmthandtactilequalitiesthatBennand

PennaArchitecturehas added to the tiny 1860s

sandstonecottage.

Theadditionshavebeencarvedoffan

archetypicalgabledsheltervolume;lightwellsand

balconieshavebeensculptedoffthesolidmassto

greateffect.Thelightissoft,andthejuxtaposition

ofnewandoldmaterialsismagical,pairedwiththe

warmthoftheoldsandstoneandsandstockbricks

and thecalmandrobustslatefloorandconcrete.

Whatismostsatisfyingistherespectthat

theadditionsoffertotheoriginalcottage.Thenew

livingspacesseemtogazeadmiringlytowardtheold

stonesandintimatesharingofeverydaylivingoccurs

aroundthelinkingcourtyard.Thereisintergenerational

admirationbetweenthecottageanditsoffspring.

Theskill,balanceandsolidityofthisproject

will guarantee an enduring life for this renewed house.

From the Houses Awards jury.

BALMAIN

ROCK

BY BENN

• PENNA

SYDNEY, NSW

1 Entry

2 Living

3 Dining

Ground floor 1 : 400 0 5 m

1

2

(^34)
5
Firstfloor 1 : 400
6
6
7
8
JOINT
WINNER
2019
HOUSEIN A
HERITAGE CONTEXT
AwardforHouseina Heritage
Context is supported by
9
4 Kitchen
5 Laundry
6 Bedroom
7 Garden
8 Store
9 Carport