Architecture

A Former Trouser Factory Turned Intimate Sydney Home

‘Intimate’ is not a word typically used to describe converted warehouses, and yet this is exactly what’s been achieved in this Annandale project by Josephine Hurley Architecture.

Located in a 1909 former trouser factory, this home had been subject to numerous updates over time, resulting in a seriously eclectic mix of design details. Josephine set out to embrace this history by referencing existing textures and colours, while also seriously upgrading the home’s modern creature comforts. 

Written
by
Amelia Barnes

This converted warehouse is located in 1909 former trouser factory. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Claire Driscoll Delmar from Studio CD

The home features a mismatch of design details including these classical columns! Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Josephine Hurley Architecture‘s vision was to design a family-friendly home, but not at the expense of sophistication. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

The interiors draw inspiration from existing textures, patterns and colours on site. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Fireplaces from Highfire Installations were added to the living and library spaces. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Living room artwork ‘Untitled 2019’ by Lauren Ellenberger from M Contemporary. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Small doors around the internal courtyard were replaced with elegant double-glazed, steel framed doors to open up the space. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

French doors are another eclectic design element of this Annandale warehouse. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

The internal courtyard is the primary source of natural light and ventilation. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Two new en suites were added to the loft bedroom. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

The rich and eclectic interiors pay homage to previous uses and occupants whilst sympathetically weaving in the identity of the current owners. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Tiles in the renovation were sourced from Tiles By Kate. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

The green bathroom tiles pay homage to salvaged stained glass windows throughout the home. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Studio CD

Writer
Amelia Barnes
14th of May 2020

When architect Josephine Hurley first entered this converted 1909 factory in Sydney’s Annandale, she was greeted by a mismatch of architectural styles and details, from classical columns to stained glass windows. The space was also severely lacking in comfort, with natural light, ventilation and thermal performance all needing to be addressed. It was her job to create a cohesive vision for the interiors, while seriously improving the home’s liveability to suit a couple and their child.

Josephine’s vision was to design a family-friendly home, but not at the expense of sophistication. Drawing inspiration from existing textures, patterns and colours on site, her approach was to declutter the space without stripping it of history and character. ‘The design focused on revealing the core structure of the warehouse, retaining key pieces of architecture and sympathetically adding a new layer to reflect the owner’s personality,’ Josephine says. ‘We wanted to embrace the warehouse shell and let the layers of history enrich the interiors.’ The level of detail contained in these interior spaces brings a much-needed level of human-scale and intimacy to the warehouse.

A large portion of the project budget was allocated to issues that only revealed themselves upon light demolition works. ‘There were even vines growing in gutters and behind built in wardrobes! Essentially the warehouse was feeling its age,’ says Josephine. Insulation was installed to improve thermal performance, skylights were added for more natural light and ventilation, and fireplaces were inserted in the library and living rooms to offer cosy places to gather. 

The home’s previously underutilised internal courtyard also received a major upgrade. ‘The courtyard was originally cut off from the internal spaces, with small French doors being the only connection,’ explains Josephine. To overcome this issue, existing doors were replaced with elegant double-glazed, steel framed doors to celebrate the entire space. 

The original warehouse facade of this home provides no clues to what’s inside, making the richly layered interiors a delight and surprise to all those who enter. The sense of playfulness, intimacy, and warmth not only reflects the current owner’s personalities, but the varied history of this former factory building.

See more projects from Josephine Hurley Architecture here and keep up with their latest work on Instagram.

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