Spending years looking for the “perfect” spot for his young family, Dion Weston found a 1904/05 Edwardian timber cottage in Sydney’s lower north shore suburb, Greenwich. The deceased estate was in a very dilapidated state, but Dion could see potential in the heritage-listed property with its sweeping views of Sydney’s CBD, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, that could be viewed with a second-storey addition. In navigating how to retain and respect the cottage but also create a long-term family home, Dion worked with architect, Brian Zulaikha, from Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects. Together they envisaged the restored Greenwich cottage sitting alongside a modern, sculptural addition, both connected by an enclosed ramp structure and 19.5m-long pool.
“We progressed with the build without proceeding to a 1:20 detailed drawing set, instead relying on the Construction Certificate 1:100 approved drawing set, with the detail being worked up from Peter’s (technical project manager) on-site sketching in collaboration with Brian’s and my own extensive input,” explains Dion. “This approach worked well, providing a significant degree of ongoing design flexibility, while at the same time ensuring problems in execution were well anticipated, as were cost management consequences. The downside was the fatigue generated by the relentlessness of the decision making required.”
Restoration of the Edwardian cottage was important to Dion and his wife, Turi, so most of the original building was retained and fully renovated. A 19.5m-long lap pool with lime-green tile was the most significant addition, positioned in the centre of the block with two pavilions built up either side of its rear, and behind the remainder of the cottage. On the ground floor, at various split levels, are three bedrooms and a multi-purpose room, all accessed via a “glass-shrouded glass bridge”. Two bedrooms have been retained in the cottage while the original living room has been reconfigured into a guest bathroom and living room. The original coal fireplace has been restored and in working order with the addition of a contemporary surround. The coloured-glass panelled door that partitioned the original hallway and sitting room now dons the door to the new bathroom.
“The original facade of the cottage has been respectfully reinstated to its original form, guided by an extraordinarily high-resolution circa 1910-1920 Chisholm Street streetscape photograph sourced from historical records held in the Lane Cove Library,” says Dion.
An important part of this build for Dion and Turi was capturing the city skyline views from a second-storey addition. A house-length rooftop deck rivals many of the city’s counterparts. It’s fitted out with a lounge area, barbecue and outdoor kitchen, but most importantly, sweeping and uninterrupted views from the Sydney CBD to the east, and to the distant ridges of the Blue Mountains in the west.
Greenwich House adopts a “less is more” approach to design, inspired by Mies van der Rohe and the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. Natural materials, including glass, timber and galvanised steel, are complemented by unobstructed sight lines and structural lightness. The pool and Japanese-inspired garden with stepping stones and a lily pond infuse nature into the building’s structure.
“The theatricality of the structure, and the risks taken with form, while simultaneously delivering spectacular views, exceptional sight lines and amazing living spaces, are special … it is an exciting building, one that often stops passers-by in their tracks, compelling them to take time to stand and contemplate its uniqueness,” says Dion.
