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Hiding behind a tree on the streets of Sydney’s Inner West is the JJ House by Bokey Grant Architects. Once covered in pitiful changes, the former worker’s cottage been reinvigorated with elements towing between the original and the contemporary. What appears to be a house full of complexity, reveals a refreshing approach of unifying a relationship between the old and new in a minimalist approach.

You wouldn’t believe that this federation bungalow is only 108 metres square when it generously holds three bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, living and dining. Bokey Grant maintained the original integrity of the cottage by adopting the house’s original footprint, existing walls and lean-too roof found in the kitchen. The architects also took advantage of the former logical plan and loaded corridor, maintaining the classic circulation of the house. It’s easy to distinguish which areas are maintained or added. The walls are quite telling in what is old and what is new. Smooth walls reaching up towards the detailed datum is the former, and textured surfaces connected to an evened ceiling represents the new. Thresholds have been made low, all while incorporating the language of high light windows found in the original corridor – cementing a conscious transition demonstrating the architect’s expertise with heritage architecture.

Application of a timeless colour palette of white walls and light timber floorboards allow formerly neglected elements to prosper. Heritage elements are tastefully adjusted to match modern simplicity. All it took was transforming the existing floral datum, light fixtures, and antique window frames white.

Existing colours of stained-glass windows are sharpened and echoed throughout. Light filtered hues of blue and yellow found in the windows of original bedrooms are contrasted by bold counterparts hinted in ceiling-high accents in new areas. The white-tiled bathroom becomes the backdrop for the vintage honeycombed tiles. It’s appealing to find a frequently used colour story sprinkled with pops of colour, transforming smaller spaces into a generous hideaway.

JJ House’s shell is composed of white rendered bricks, purposefully stitching the house into the fabric of the surrounding houses in Sydney’s Lilyfield. Bokey Grant further integrates the house by orientating windows in each room towards the garden, pulling in ample amount of light, and accentuating the interior height. It’s an ingenious move really, especially when the kitchen area is positioned in a manner that allows the windows to transform the space into an alfresco. Internally, JJ House presents a constant walking gallery of the garden, making it almost impossible to decide whether the house has consumed the garden or vice versa. And who wouldn’t want to enjoy the landscape designed by the clients? Just imagine, walking through each room to witness the artfully framed views of the lush greenery – it’s difficult to resist the urge to take a momentary tea-break, and wistfully admire the dedication and view.

There is so much love respect in the construction of JJ House. It is a curation of elements of surprise in which reveals a symbiotic relationship with the gaze, house, and landscape – all unified by heritage elements. Unique and playful.

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