
Reimagining a Sydney Cottage: How One Architect Unlocked Generous Living in Just 60 Square Meters
In the vibrant, diverse inner-west Sydney suburb of Newtown, amidst a backdrop of quirky charm and strong community, stands a testament to the power of thoughtful, transformative architecture. Architect Dean Williams, director of Architect George, alongside his partner and dog Monty, made the bold decision to not just live in, but utterly reinvent, a modest 1930s workers’ cottage. Their journey unveils how a tiny 35-square-meter footprint, expanded to just under 60 square meters (645 sqft), can become a home that breathes, connects, and generously embraces its surroundings, challenging our very notions of modern comfort.
A Heritage Home, Radically Transformed from Within
Dean Williams believes that in dense urban environments, architecture often remains “too private”. His vision for their home was clear: for it to “breathe and open up to the rear laneway or a park or the street”. Living in the original house for two to three years before the renovation, they understood its limitations – a series of “pokey rooms” disconnected from the rear courtyard, with a cramped attic accessed by a pull-down ladder serving as their bedroom.
The key to its metamorphosis lay in dramatic internal improvements, particularly the removal of internal walls and a clever rear bathroom addition. Crucially, as the house resides in a heritage conservation area, its street-facing appearance remained untouched, pushing all new, innovative works to the rear, hidden from public view. This constraint became a catalyst for extraordinary interior design.
Ingenious Design Details That Expand Space and Light
Upon entering, visitors are welcomed into an open-plan living space where the original fireplace has been beautifully restored, grounding the modern elements in history. Dark brown engineered timber floorboards stretch seamlessly throughout the home, creating a visual flow that makes every room feel larger and contrasting elegantly with the crisp white internal textures.
The kitchen, a masterclass in integration, is built around an original chimney breast. A sleek stone benchtop serves both the cooking facilities—housing the dishwasher, sink, and stove on one side—and wraps up as a splashback. Opposite, cleverly tucked under the stair, an integrated fridge, pantry, and ample storage disappear seamlessly into the design. A thin stone island bench unit anchors the middle of the room, inviting social gathering and connection.
Moving from kitchen to dining, a single step in the floor level subtly delineates the functions while maintaining a visual connection. Above, exposed ceiling beams offer a sense of extra height and are detailed to provide functional shelving for books and belongings. The dining room basks in natural light, courtesy of a semi-internal light well dense with greenery, “drenching the dining space and kitchen with sunlight all day long”.
Perhaps the most unique feature is the new concrete block bathroom. Positioned in a previously “unoccupiable” triangular part of the courtyard, it stands as a “somewhat sculptural element in the garden”. Inside, a curved mosaic shower offers a “warm hug” experience, bathed in light from a glass skylight above. The roof of this innovative bathroom is planted with greenery, designed to grow and cascade down the concrete block walls. The bathroom floor uses beautiful green terrazzo tiles, creating a seamless, single-slab appearance.
A Sanctuary Upstairs, Connected to Community
On the first floor, the main bedroom is a tranquil retreat at the rear, offering views of the courtyard and a small park with a community garden beyond. Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes provide abundant storage, and a hidden door leads directly to the new green roof. A deeply personal touch, reused stained glass panels from their old rear door cast “beautiful coloured patterns across the wall in the bedroom” when sun shines through.
The second bedroom, repurposed from the old attic where they once slept, now functions as a versatile guest room and home office. Nestled within the existing roof pitch, it benefits from a new, large skylight ensuring ample light and ventilation. Full-width storage on one side ingeniously utilizes the old roof space, adding significant utility to the home. A second bathroom on this floor maintains consistency with the ground-floor bathroom’s material palette and boasts a small north-facing window for excellent all-day sunlight.
Rethinking “Home”: Generosity in Small Spaces
Dean Williams emphasizes the importance of upgrading and repurposing existing homes rather than demolishing them, noting it was a “more cost effective option” and crucial for “maintaining our historical connection to our cities”. This project truly champions the idea that “nothing has to be given up to live in a smaller home”.
By deliberately making spaces smaller where appropriate, and focusing on seamless connections to the outdoors, natural light, and ventilation, this converted miners’ house demonstrates a profound truth. It urges us to “readjust our thinking of what a comfortable contemporary home is,” questioning outdated assumptions about bedroom sizes or doorway widths. This Newtown gem stands as a vibrant example of how innovative design can transform historical modesty into a spacious, light-filled, and deeply connected family home for today.