Darlinghurst House by Modify

ArchiPro Project Summary - A contemporary revival of a Victorian house, completed in 2023, featuring enhanced spatial flow, a redefined courtyard, and a multi-use basement that harmoniously blends traditional elements with modern design.

Title:: Darlinghurst House
Architect:: Modify
Category:: Residential/; Renovations and Extensions
Region:: Darlinghurst, New South Wales, AU
Completed:: 2023
Building style:: Contemporary
Photographers:: Dave Wheeler

Enhancing the traditional and melding it with the new, this Victorian house has been revived with an emphasis on better spatial flow, a redefined courtyard and an inviting multi-use basement.

Our architecture and design team sought to re-introduce traditional features throughout the home, such as wainscotting and mouldings, and where possible existing elements like the original fireplaces were retained and restored.

Any introduced contemporary details were carefully selected to honour the Victorian features. For example, the joinery in the dining room and master bedroom were designed to feel like pieces of furniture, rather than built-ins that interrupt the cornices.

Bold moments of black steel are used to frame vistas and mark transition points between spaces, with a folded, metal balustrade grounding the staircase at the heart of the home.

Previously the courtyard was overwhelmed by an oversized pool but now our clients can enjoy an outdoor lounge area as well as a new round plunge pool.

The basement captures the old-meets-new story in a material palette of original sandstone, burnished concrete, timber panelling and black steel. Now a mixed-used space for laundry, wine cellar and general storage, it is welcoming and well-lit, and can be used as spill-over space for food prep and hosting.

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Modify has gained a local reputation for creating and transforming beautiful yet functional homes in and around the eastern suburbs and inner west of Sydney, drawing on our extensive experience in urban architecture, interior design, and construction.

Understanding our clients devote significant investment to their build or renovation, we have carved a streamlined method that provides clients with an early and clear cost plan prior to lodgement of their Development Application. Clients receive a detailed construction cost plan for their renovation, ultimately allowing clients to progress past concept planning and into design development and interior design phases with confidence.

Our integrated team of senior Architects, Interior Designers, and Construction (both management and on-site foreman and trades) ensure the transition is seamless across all aspects of the design and build. Our fixed fees for design and fixed price lump sum contracts for construction offer clients the ability to have a clear picture of the overall costs prior to commencing the works, be it the design phases or the construction itself. Our process allows clients to pre-plan construction commencement dates, ensuring projects are able to commence at a time that suits them.