Decades after its original renovation, a Paddington terrace has returned to the drawing board. Originally renovated by Ergo Architecture + Interiors in the 1990s, the Underwood Street home was recently purchased by Ian. After discovering the plans for the original renovations, he approached the same practice to rework the house for its next chapter.
Featured on Grand Designs, the renovation modernises the space while creating a home that reflects its new owner. We spoke with Chris Kokkinis from Ergo Architecture + Interiors about the thinking behind the renovation and the close collaboration between architect and client that shaped the final result.
Curious to know what the approach was with this renovation - what were the key intentions or aims when you first started working on the property?
Other than the somewhat obvious intent to achieve an open plan which seamlessly merges the internal spaces to exterior courtyards and terraces, which is a common approach to many terrace house renovations, this project welcomes aspects in design that tell a story. The story in this case being parts of Ian’s life, lives, both past and present.
"On the surface the outcome is a collection of colours, textures, a gallery of intimate photographs and images. In discovery the outcome is both personal and outwardly vibrant."
Listed below are some of the key aspects of the brief.
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Ian was keen to work closely with our team to effectively work his vision into the project.
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Ian is a keen traveller and has a keen interest in photography, having captured several very special moments through his camera lens. Displaying these images was a key aspect of the brief.
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The colours and textures throughout the interior fit-out are also a reflection of Ian’s life experiences both locally and abroad. The vibrant colours of the Australian outback provided the inspiration for the front room or entry space. Ian’s intimacy with Japanese architecture was the inspiration for the design approach to the joinery and the use of exposed concrete, natural timbers, both dark and light, stainless steel.
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Ian’s keen interest in trains also introduced the crimson red colour which saturates the stair well. A colour from the pallet often utilized in the décor of the Japanese Bullet Train.
What were the hardest decisions when renovating this older property? Were there any tough choices regarding which elements to keep versus which needed rebuilding.
In 1994 this building was modified by Ergo Architecture + Interiors for a previous owner. In 2024 Ian contacted me having purchased the house several years earlier, to re-modify the house. 30 years after the first round of changes the arrangement of spaces remains largely unchanged with the inclusion of a Cellar/ Basement under the front room of the Ground Floor. The intent in style and finish in comparison to the 90’s renovation, thankfully is vastly different. Every interior building element was re-surfaced and slight layout modifications were made, including a re-configuration and enlargement of the Ground Floor, a larger bathroom and roof terrace at the First Floor, and conversion of the Attic into a purpose-built train set workshop and display being Ian’s lifetime work-in-progress project.
As far as difficult choices, there were none, as Ian’s intent was to remove most of the ‘old’ and to ‘bring in the new’ by way of internal fit-out, amenity to the Courtyard, the inclusion of light, colour, and texture. In essence the 90’s renovation had already created the open plan layout and had already extended the Ground Floor footprint across the original breezeway to the side boundary.
"The new renovation was in effect a re-birth, breathing a new identity to a tired terrace house."
Is there a moment or detail in the finished house that only makes sense once you understand the reasoning behind it - something a visitor might walk past without realising the thought that went into it?
This fit-out is unique, in the sense that it is not the result of what may often be considered a mainstream response to a terrace house renovation. It is a collaboration between client and designer making for a very personalised outcome. In my opinion, the entire modification only makes sense after having understood the client’s intent and desire.
We love seeing Totem Road pieces in beautiful homes. What do you feel works well with our product in this project and what were the main reasons for selecting these products?
The ‘Totem Road’ choice was entirely Ian’s. The inspiration is clear as the pieces Ian selected resonate stylistically with the colour, texture, design of the fit-out, particularly the Japanese-influenced joinery.
The result is a home with a strong sense of identity, where architecture, interiors and personal taste come together. Ian’s travels, photography and love of Australian and Japanese design are woven throughout the space, creating something unique and functional. Here Totem Road’s Heirloom Sofa in Atlantic and Counter Stools in Black find a natural home, amongst the textures and shades of the reimagined Underwood home.
Architect: Ergo Architecture + Interiors
Photographer: John Fotadis
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