2021 Houses Awards: House in a Heritage Context – joint winner

Jury comment

SRG House by Fox Johnston comes with an impressive architectural pedigree. The locally significant 1970s semi in Balmain is one of a pair formerly owned by eminent architect Sir Roy Grounds and his son Marr, an architect, lecturer and sculptor. Marr commissioned architect Stuart Whitelaw to design the two houses, and this semi was used by Roy as his Sydney pied-à-terre. As may be expected, the bones were excellent and the Balmain views were stunning. However, time had intervened and the original treehouse concept had been altered.

Fox Johnston prioritized retention of the existing structure and connection to the landscape, with the original zigzag plan established around major trees. The architect’s work with landscape designer Dangar Barin Smith re-establishes the important bushland setting.

Clever interventions addressed deterioration and contemporary living requirements. New fixed and sliding window sections have been inserted, opening the house to natural air and enhancing its thermal performance. The garage, a 1983 addition, was transformed into a grandparents’ annexe, connected to the main house by a glass bridge to provide multigenerational living. Research by Lymesmith revealed the materials and colouring of the original house, which the architect used to both restore and inspire new work.

For further coverage, read Peter Salhani’s review of SRG House.

The Award for House in a Heritage Context is supported by the Heritage Council of Victoria. See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.

SRG House is located in Sydney, NSW, on the land of the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora nation.

Project credits

Architect: Fox Johnston Project team: Conrad Johnson, Stefania Reynolds, Ben Warren, Sreeja Banerji Builder: SQ Projects with Dot Kom Carpentry Engineer: SDA Structures Landscape design: Dangar Barin Smith Colour design consultant: Lymesmith Heritage consultant: Urbis.