Architects: Carter Williamson Architects
Area: 116 m²
Year: 2011
Photography: Brett Boardman
Project Architects: Shaun Carter, Patrick Fitzgerald
Landscape Architects: Melissa Wilson
Engineering: Cardno Brisbane
City: Sydney
Country: Australia
Cowshed House, a residential project by Carter Williamson Architects in Glebe, Sydney, involved transforming an old cowshed into a contemporary open-plan family home. Completed in 2011, the design preserved much old the original structure while introducing new elements, including a bedroom mezzanine and a steep roofline. High clerestory windows were added to enhance natural light and ventilation, and the use of simple, durable materials echoed the building’s past, reflecting the character of the surrounding neighborhood.
The Cowshed House project was a prime example of adaptive reuse, as the architects saw an opportunity to repurpose the old cowshed while retaining the unique character of the eclectic Glebe neighborhood. The original structure’s historical significance was maintained, while modern interventions seamlessly integrated into the design, blending old and new elements to create a cohesive living space.
Situated on a compact plot bordered by roads on three sides, the original cowshed featured a long brick wall that defined the urban edge. This modest structure, which once housed basic accommodations in the form of former stalls converted into bedrooms, had a rich historical patina. The design capitalized on this potential, creating a private, north-facing courtyard that enhances the home’s connection to its urban context.
The client envisioned a home that reflected their vibrant family life, which is evident in the open-plan design. Spaces are interconnected, with each room flowing into the others and extending naturally into the sunlit, green courtyard.
The layout largely retained its original form, with the kitchen positioned at the street corner, concealed by the robust brick envelope, and opening into the dining and living areas. Children’s bedrooms were placed in the L-shaped return of the plan, with bright red bathroom at the pivot, a nod to the clients’ Venezuelan roots.
Expanding the building’s width from three to four meters allowed for the addition of a bedroom mezzanine above the kitchen. This adjustment maintained the urban street edge with a prominent forward element, reminiscent of traditional shopfronts at the end of terrace rows, enhancing the building’s role as a corner landmarks.
A large jacaranda tree, which previously caused flooding issues, inspired the design of a steep roof plane that extends over the second-story bedroom and slopes down at the rear. This design element not only prevents the accumulation of organic debris but also contributes to the building’s distinctive profile.
High clerestory windows wrap around the building, ascending with the roofline. These windows bring in light and air, ensuring the home remains bright and private within its dense urban environment.
While much of the original cowshed was preserved, some structurally unsound elements had to be rebuilt. The reconstruction retained the essence of the cowshed, using simple, durable materials that met the constraints of a tight budget. Polished concrete slabs were used as flooring, recycled bricks were exposed on internal walls, and the timber structure was left visible. Oiled timber doors, windows, and corrugated cladding evoke the Australian pastoral vernacular, a nod to a heritage now fading in this rapidly gentrifying area.
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Project Location
Address: Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales 2037, Australia
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
