House Wilkie
Nestled in Newcastle’s city fringe, this modest workers’ cottage required a sensitive yet efficient reconfiguration to accommodate an additional bedroom, a larger bathroom with a long-overdue laundry, and a more functional kitchen. Rather than extending the footprint, a series of measured interventions unlocked the home’s potential within its existing walls, minimising costs and streamlining approvals.
At the rear, the once-disjointed kitchen and under-utilised sunroom were consolidated into a generous kitchen and dining space, seamlessly connected to the large back deck. A new perpendicular wall transformed the former dining room into a third bedroom while allowing for the expansion of the bathroom.
A careful balance of preservation and adaptation defines the project. The fireplace in the former dining room was removed to reclaim space for the new bedroom, yet traces of its presence remain—where the chimney once punctured the ceiling, where the hearth sat within the floor—subtly articulated through material shifts. Demolition revealed intact original lining boards, which were thoughtfully salvaged and reinstated, reinforcing the home’s sense of history.
Functionality and restraint guide the kitchen’s design. Along the rear wall, a concealed zone houses the pantry, fridge, and appliance bench, allowing the working kitchen to remain visually calm. Crafted from solid Tasmanian oak with brass detailing, the material palette lends warmth and permanence, embedding a sense of quiet refinement within this modest yet deeply considered reworking.
Photography: Alex Mcintyre