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Ellies and Ney Residence
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A Seemingly generic Victorian facade among many lining Forbes Street in Darlinghurst, this recently completed project by Smart Design Studio in conjunction with architect Vaughn Lane appears on the surface as yet another I 9th-century terrace on a typical Sydney streetscape. What lies beyond its anonymous front door, is quite a different experience. While the facade maintains a strong connection to the history of the site, it masks a refined and light imbued collection of spaces beyond, Unfolding a series of 'treasured' moments the project became known as the 'jewellery box', a parallel that seems apt to its subtle yet precious qualities, which are revealed as one journeys through the spatial sequence.
Building on Smart Design's reputation of crafting considered and rigorously detailed residential and commercial projects, this project seems very much in tune with the sense of 'refined Minimali,5m' that imbues the practice's work, with an emplha3is on iight, colour and open space. This terrace conversion continues a collection of recently completed projects, such as SIDS principal William Smart's own apartment in Potts Point, a tiny but highly-crafted studio apartment where jewel-like details and concealed components provide a holistic sense to an otherwise minimal space. It is no surprise to learn that Smart began his architectural career at the London offices of Foster and Partners, such is the riqour of the practice's attention to detail. Indeed, he believes "working in Foster's office taught me about reduction and building tolerance, which are fundamental principals behind minimal details. As the forms were simple, the project needed particularly great detailing to hold it together."
While some critics may suggest that this focus is simply part of the aesthetic-focused nature of many Sydney-based architectural practices, the result of this project is more complex. Details such as the white-on-white impression of a flowering magnolia free - lost from the site during the construction process and designed by client Richard Ney as an artwork on the kitchen well - maintain a lyrical and emotional connection to the site's history. This is achieved in much the some way as a nostalgic 'treasure' contained within the confines of a jewellery box brings memories of the post flooding back. Elements such as the original timber handrail and staircase to the master bedroom and terrace also ground the project in its immediate context.
The brief was very simple: to provide a new bathroom, kitchen and living space. From accumulated experience in this type of conversion project, Smart knew that "the best approach was to demolish the back of the terrace and [build] a new structure, creating a strong juxtaposition between new and old." The initial project was commissioned to SIDS in 1999 and, although the front of the terrace seemingly remains unchanged, the back of the site has been gutted internally and rebuilt, involving a new basement with a courtyard over it and an addition to the rear of the terrace, that contains the kitchen, bathroom and a deck overlooking the central business district skyline. In 2001, the clients engaged architect Vaughn Lane (previously the project architect within the SIDS office~ to undertake the design of the master bedroom and ensuite on the second level.
A committed and collaborative approach was crucial to the success of this project throughout its design and construction phases and the client maintained a hands-or role throughout the process. Smart explains, "Our clients were extremely well informed and open to contemporary ideas. We all left meetings excited about the proposals because they would not only accept ideas, but improve them in the meetings, They also have a great collection of furniture, art and books so these factors became an important port of the design." Client Michael Ellies agrees, "We both had definite ideas about what we wanted in terms of the outcomes, spaces, fixtures and finishes and even colour. However, we were also conscious of providing the architect with plenty of free creative possibilities, The partnership worked well. In many cases, we left William to develop the 'big ideas', while we followed up with design details as well as being a very active in problem solving. "
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