House in Queen's Park in Sydney, Australia

Project: House in Queen's Park
Architects: Fox Johnston
Location: Sydney, Australia
Area: 2,314 sq ft
Photography: Simon Wood

House in Queen's Park by Fox Johnston

The House in Queen's Park in Sydney was designed by Fox Johnston as a functional and comfortable space for a growing family. The house features a playroom that can be converted into a study or bedroom in the future, as well as a guest area that may serve as a teenager's bedroom or a space for grandparents.

The garden zone was designed for young children and includes native plants and vegetable gardens. The upper floor, intended for parents, is located near the children's area and provides privacy when needed.

The house is equipped with durable materials such as brick, concrete, and wood for longevity and resilience. The orientation of the new addition ensures optimal lighting and ventilation, relying minimally on artificial heating and cooling. Large adjustable windows and screens provide maximum airflow, with fixed and sliding screens to control heat intrusion during summer.

The approach to the project from the beginning was to provide clients with a functional, practical, and comfortable home. We aimed to create flexible spaces in both the old and new house that could adapt over time – the playroom was designed for children, which can later be transformed into a study or additional bedroom. The guest area accessible via the lunch area may also become a teenager's bedroom or space for grandparents if needed.

Garden zones were designed as functional spaces for young children with sections of native plants and nearby vegetable gardens. The upper floor parent retreat was designed to be close to the children's area without compromising privacy. It also provides our clients with a private space for relaxation when needed. Regarding size, it's a small house but more than suitable for a growing family of five. Each part of the house was designed to be used without unnecessary rooms.

Durable materials such as brick, concrete, and wood were chosen for their strength, durability, and long-term resilience. Detailed concrete eaves surrounding the facade were designed to protect against weather conditions and sun, as well as serve as an important design element. Expressive wooden cladding on ceilings and walls adds warmth and texture to the space.

We also consciously oriented the new addition to ensure optimal lighting and ventilation throughout the house – thus relying minimally on artificial heating and cooling. As a result, most of the addition faces north, with large eaves on the west side to control direct sunlight. Large adjustable windows and screens on the north side provide maximum airflow throughout the house, with fixed and sliding screens to control heat intrusion in mid-summer. The concrete base and upper floor provide good thermal mass throughout the house, with a built-in hydronic heating system controlling temperature during winter. A well-maintained green roof over the garage and guest area also provides excellent thermal mass and temperature control during summer months. A light fixture adds interest to this garden roof, allowing natural light to penetrate into the guest area below.

–Fox Johnston