This project showcases the challenge and success of transforming a Victorian terrace house in Sydney into a sustainable home while adhering to strict heritage controls. In an ideal world, every home would meet green star ratings or Passive House standards, but much of Sydney’s housing consists of existing buildings, often located in heritage conservation areas. This renovation exemplifies how heritage constraints can be navigated to achieve modern, sustainable living without compromising historical integrity.

The project focused on preserving the existing structure and restoring original Victorian features, such as fireplaces, kauri pine floorboards, internal doors, and external heritage windows and doors. By minimizing demolition waste and retaining these elements, the renovation balanced sustainability with historical preservation.

Despite the limitations imposed by heritage controls, the design creatively integrated sustainability measures suitable for a Victorian terrace house. This included thoughtful material sourcing, innovative implementation, and a focus on ongoing maintenance, ensuring that sustainability was embedded from the project’s inception through its continued use.

The result is a future-proof home that enhances livability through upgraded amenities while maintaining the charm and integrity of its Victorian roots. This renovation demonstrates that sustainable practices can be effectively incorporated into heritage properties, offering modern comfort and wellbeing while respecting the historical fabric of the home.

Photography by Brian Heavin & Josh McGuigan