The York Street Residence by Jackson Clements Burrows takes a joyful approach to the classic ‘pop-top’ or ‘box on the back’ suburban renovation. Architect Rob Majcen explains the design as a ‘nimble and sensitive response’ to the heritage context, as well as facilitating new and highly liveable spaces for the owners to inhabit.

Rob describes the client brief as ‘expansive and challenging’, but an opportunity that the architects fully embraced. The architects followed the form of the existing gables of the heritage building, and creating a glazed link between the old and new addition. This link is peppered with ‘hit-and-miss’ brickwork, that carries the heritage materials into the contemporary section.

The ambitious plans were accommodated by introducing a sunken living space in the rear of the site, exploiting the potential of the site’s significant fall. From here, a sculptural staircase invites the occupants up to a landing study nook, ‘set under a folding origami timber-lined ceiling.’ The first floor contains bedrooms and a bathroom that are illuminated by a full length skylight.

Rob emphasises the mindset of the clients in facilitating this ambitious and striking design. He explains ‘the client was fixated on value rather than cost, which allowed a flexible approach to decision making.’ This willingness to invest in quality design has resulted in an architectural outcome that transcends an excel spreadsheet!