Bolt Hole House, Woollahra
living private°
Bolt Hole House is the transformation of an existing compact dwelling of poor amenity on a back lane in the inner east of Sydney.
With Architecture by Panov Scott, the works do not increase the size of the dwelling but instead increase the amenity of spaces that already exist. Completed in 2018, the project has been recognised with the 2018 Houses Awards: House in a Heritage Context.
Size: 75m2
Scope: Concept Design, Development Application, Tender Documentation, Construction
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‘the design makes a generous contribution to the life of the lane’
- Jury Citation
2018 Houses Award Jury Citation
While the site and existing building aren’t noted for their individual heritage contribution or significance, they fall within the fine-grain precinct of the Woollahra Heritage Conservation Area C15 of inner Sydney. Accordingly, this project was subject to precinct and form controls.
The building’s neighbours are the outbuildings of larger, individually noted heritage buildings fronting major streets either side of the lane. The original building (c. 1980) has been carefully considered and predominantly re-used by the architects in a confident manner, but with a light touch.
The architects stated that their aspiration was to forge a small piece of country in the city. The principal changes were the insertion of a central rectangular courtyard into the modest 113.3-square-metre floor area, the deliberate positioning of enclosed living areas on the laneway frontage and the location of the more private bedroom and bathroom accommodation to the rear of the site, away from the laneway. Skilful design has delivered a straightforward working plan of openness, charm and finesse.
By turning the project to the laneway, the architects and the owner have made a contribution to the life of the lane, reciprocated in turn to the occupants of the dwelling. The enormous pressures placed on housing by current rates of growth in the major cities of Australia and the associated challenges of providing quality accommodation in inner and middle suburbs, often in heritage contexts, are amply addressed in this small but significant design.
