Situated in the heart of Adelaide, our Stephens Street project is an exemplary study in maximising space and detail. The open plan kitchen and living area is an impressive feat of space efficiency. Its illusion of spaciousness, much larger than the actual floor area, owes much to the careful management of what the eye perceives. The off-form concrete fireplace plinth in platinum white, with its undercuts and multiple adjoining faces, adds a touch of contemporary elegance.

Environmental Sustainability

By achieving so much is such a small building envelope, our clients are heating and cooling a small area relative to the lifestyle this 6-star rated home affords to them. Fans in the living area and bedrooms cool in summer and circulate warmth in winter, delaying the need for and increasing the efficiency of other active heating and cooling sources.

A small landing on the first floor with closable doors allows the ground and first floor areas to be easily isolated from one another. Joinery placed on external walls provides extra insulation further reducing the home’s heating and cooling load.

Careful placement of skylights and high windows gives access to natural light and effective cross ventilation to creates a light an airy feeling in a home with few external walls. Blinds built into the skylights further protect from unwanted radiant solar heat gains in summer.

The high thermal mass concrete plinth under the slow combustion fireplace charges up and stores heat to be released back into the space overnight. The current owners are lucky enough to have access to a sustainably managed source of firewood helping to keep the home toasty warm and green through winter.

LED lighting throughout is sealed at the ceiling to ensure both low power consumption and no unwanted air-leaks. A 5.8kW solar systems further increases the efficiency of this compact home that offers so much.

The kitchen does not overpower the main living room, thanks to the careful use of a dark material palette and artisan joinery that conceals most of the appliances. Tucked away neatly behind pocket doors, the real gem of this space is the bar. Radiating cocktail bar charm with its green marble and brass shelving, this 50-plus bottle capacity feature is a striking example of how this home efficiently marries beauty and practicality.

The project’s success hinged on understanding the three-dimensional layout of the small site. One remarkable achievement is the introduction of natural light and fresh air into a lower-level bathroom located in the middle of the home. This was achieved by wrapping a staircase around an openable roof window shaft. Additionally, careful placement of skylights and high windows allows for natural light access and effective cross ventilation, creating a light and airy feeling in a home with few external walls.

The master bedroom is an epitome of space efficiency, contributing to the modern facilities required by the owners for city living. It carries the design ethos of the rest of the home, demonstrating that less really is more.

The other bathroom showcases the detailed design approach in preserving the heritage streetscape while offering modern conveniences. This level of detail is evident in the refurbishment of the adjoining 100-year-old residences’ party walls, which now meet current standards for water proofing, damp treatment, and fire protection.

The spare bedroom provides another excellent example of efficient use of space, featuring a neat and functional office space. This room epitomises the project’s mantra of preserving the heritage streetscape while offering modern facilities needed for urban living.

Even in the outdoor area, the project maximizes the available space with a deck and a retractable blind, allowing the owners to enjoy their surroundings comfortably.