Leichhardt House

R² Studios was commissioned by a duo of close friends, an interior designer and a builder, to design a family home for their growing family of five. With a compact 200m2 block in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt, the challenge was to squeeze the most out of the site and accommodate the family’s needs without compromising on design.

The design process was a collaborative effort, with constant testing of design aesthetics for both the interior and exterior, against buildability and cost. Drawing inspiration from traditional pitched roof cottages, R² Studios put a modern twist on the design to achieve a second storey without adding bulk and scale to the street. The area is prone to flooding, so the new residence had to be raised almost a meter from the existing level, while also minimizing its perceived height.

The ground floor of the residence comprises an open plan living, kitchen, and dining area, with a laundry and powder room tucked behind the central staircase. A guest bedroom facing the street doubles up as a large study. The top floor houses three bedrooms and two bathrooms nestled within a pitched roof. At the rear of the property, there is an outdoor space designed for young kids to play and for adult entertaining.

Despite the small site, R² Studios skilfully employed various materials to play to the strengths of the design while minimizing its bulk and scale. Ground floor face brick gives a nod to the traditional brick cottage and the existing house that was demolished, while lighter charred timber and membrane cladding on the top level add lightness to the composition.

The success of the design is a testament to R² Studios’ expertise in designing for small sites and their ability to create a functional and stylish home that meets the needs of a growing family of five.