House In The City
HOUSE IN THE CITY
James Allen Architect
ARCHITECTS
James Allen Architect
STYLING
Maz Mis
PHOTOGRAPHS
Christopher Morrison
AREA
225 m²
YEAR
2023
LOCATION
Adelaide, Australia
CATEGORY
Houses, Renovation
English description provided by the architects.
House in the City is a considered reworking of a crumbling Federation villa in inner-city Adelaide.
Designed for a couple retiring from the country, the project preserves the formal front rooms of the original house while introducing a refined, contemporary pavilion at the rear.
The addition is separated from the villa by a courtyard, creating a deliberate pause in the plan that brings light deep into the house and clearly defines the transition from old to new.
The front rooms were carefully restored, reinstating fireplaces, timber floors, and plasterwork. In contrast, the new living spaces open generously to the north-facing garden and feature polished concrete floors, large areas of glazing, and a restrained palette of natural materials.
Rather than mimic the existing building, the new work is recessive and calm — a quiet backdrop to garden life that complements the character of the original villa without competing with it.
Robust detailing and passive environmental performance were prioritised throughout, resulting in a house that feels grounded, enduring, and easy to live in.
House in the City reinterprets Federation-era form and materiality through a contemporary lens, offering a composed and thoughtful model for urban heritage adaptation.
