Consequently, the steel columns sat up to 700 millimetres off the
adjoining factory wall. While the new wall is closer, there are still
variationsinthegapsbetweenitandthecolumns,andthecolumns
and beams differ in size. New steel insertions are painted grey to
differentiate them from existing elements and a skylight brings light
to the lower levels of the house.
Anotherrecycled-brickwalldividesthiscirculationzonefrom
theopen-planliving,kitchenanddiningarea.InanodtoBalmain’s
Victorian terrace houses, the lounge is at the front of the house, where
large steel-framed windows allow for northern sun and engagement
withthestreet.Thekitchen,withalargeislandbench,hasblack
cabinetrythatrecedesintothebackground,andthediningarea
openstotherearterrace.Screensalongthewesternfacadeblockthe
harsh afternoon sun and reduce the heat load, and steel panelling
on the walls contributes to the industrial character.
Fire tore through the lower levels of the building at some stage
initspreviouslife,sothegreyironbarkflooringinthelivingspace
is new. The floor above survived, however, and the ceiling exposes
its original construction with herringbone bracing, hand-scrawled
numbersontheundersideofthefloorboardsandsteeltrusses–some
with and some without haunches. “It’s that old Balmain way again,
05 04 Shutters along the
western facade are
angled for protection
against the harsh
summer sun.05 Glossy black exterior tiles
contrast with the patina
of a cavernous, steel
sheet-lined entryway.wheretheyjustfoundmaterialsandbuiltafactoryoutofthem,”
says Shaun. The scars of the former staircase are also evident on the
painted brick wall.
Upstairs, the corridor leads to three light and bright bedrooms.
Themainbedroomandensuiteatthefrontofthehouseopento
an angled balcony that responds to the grand two-storey Victorian
terraceacrosstheroadandfostersengagementwiththestreetlife
of Balmain. Fan-shaped tiles in Carrara marble cover the bathroom
floor,wallsandceiling,risinguptotheskylighttocreateamore
luxurious feel of “bathing rooms,” rather than simply bathrooms.
Thegroundfloorisaversatilespacethatissuitableforavariety
ofuses,suchasguestaccommodationand/orahomeoffice.While
theopenareahasalightpaletteandasubterraneanfeel,fromthe
base of the void its verticality is amplified by the expansive brick wall,
steelcolumnsandloftyskylight.
Indeed,standingupclosetotheexposedstructureof102The
Millencouragesyoutoconsiderthehouseinnotonlyitsfinalform
butalsoitsindividualparts.AsShaunexplains,“Youengagemore
withthishomeasabuilding,asaphysicalstructure.Yougetasense
of how the [parts come] together; you can see it, feel it and
understand it.”