Sydney-based design studio Tom Mark Henry are behind this renovated heritage-listed worker’s cottage in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst. The design studio have transformed the one-bedroom home through considered craftsmanship and detailing that celebrates and enhances its inherently tactile material palette.

Tom Mark Henry’s architectural sensitivity is demonstrated through their salvaging of the original heritage character with reclaimed wharf timber on the first stair of the central staircase, the exposed brick facade internally, and the exploration of craftsmanship and detailing. The original brickwork was painted white to draw light into each space and offer a consistent aesthetic that fostered the client’s preference for contemporary design. The addition of skylights floods the once dark spaces with natural light, while the interior overhaul references Scandinavian and Japanese design through interior fitting and fixtures.

Muted colours ensure the quaint footprint feels far from congested and presents as a harmonious and peaceful sequence of spaces. Beyond the home’s interior, Tom Mark Henry introduced the green-painted steel frame glazing to strengthen the relationship between inside and outside.

Tom Mark Henry have overcome the challenges of a petite footprint and heritage constraints to deliver a home that delicately explores the rich layers of local history. While paying homage to the past, the home emerges as a modern interpretation that reflects those that live there.