Tivoli Terrace: LAVA Director Chris Bosse Renovates his own Sydney Townhouse.

It’s always interesting to see how different architects and designers approach renovating the humble terrace-style home. It’s such an iconic style of architecture in inner-Sydney, and comes with many challenges like narrow dimensions, limited natural light and heritage restrictions. With this curiosity comes great appreciation when we come across a terrace that has been re-imagined in an unexpected way, which is why we are today sharing the recently completed Tivoli Terrace Project in Sydney’s Paddington. Renovated by the home’s owner, LAVA director Chris Bosse, Tivoli Terrace has all the trimmings of a modern and spacious Australian house – natural timber slatting, breezy open plan living, clean modern lines, plenty of natural light and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. A huge feat given the space is a terrace not a house, and is a mere four metres in width.

The priorities for the renovation were to better connect the indoors and outdoors, and bring in more natural light. To achieve this, every surface was treated as a design element, imbedding multiple functions in each material choice. This approach is most evident in the lacquered white surfaces that help reflect light and brighten the space, seen in the custom-designed white corian kitchen island and white glass splash back. Light, wide timber floorboards were laid throughout the entire ground floor, to streamline the dining, living and kitchen areas into one continuous space. The living area is extended into the courtyard by sliding timber screens, a flexible feature that also adds privacy, light and filtered airflow. Storage is seamlessly added to every possible surface, including floor-to-ceiling shelves. The restrained palette of pale natural timber, white corian and black steel fixtures adds to the clean look, and iconic mid-century furniture, lighting  and artwork from the likes of Louis Poulsen, Arne Jacobsen and Ligne Roset perfect this charming inner-city home.

Project Details:

• Location: Paddington, Sydney
• Status: Built 2015
• Size: 70/110 sqm
• Builder: Redwood Constructions
• Joinery: Itsdesign
• Floors: Alexandria Tiles; Footprintfloors

[Photography by Brett Boardman.]