In the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, the brick facade and gabled roof of this house do not stand out from the traditional style of the other federation houses in the neighborhood. The secret, however, designed by the studio
Sibling Architecture , was reserved for the back of the property,
designed in a completely opposite way to the front facade .
Entitled
Glassbook House , the home underwent a complete renovation led by architect
Qianyi Lim and the homeowner. The highlight of the renovation is the
glass block façade at the back of the home, which allows plenty of natural light to enter the home. .
The goal was to make the house a refuge from the outside world where the owner's
vast book collection would be given a well-deserved spotlight. The rear façade, in addition to gaining a glass wall, also
integrated the lower levels of the residence with the outdoor area , expanding the total area and inviting outdoor living.
The
large woodwork of the bookcase is the focal point of the decor, taking up two floors of the residence. Community activities such as eating, cooking and entertaining are flanked by this bookcase, which allows you
to take out a book anywhere and at any time .
"Our approach was to create a
very open plan , consisting of a two-story addition that would let as much light as possible into the entire house," Qianyi explains. "We focused the main social spaces—the living room, kitchen, and dining room—on around a wall of shelves."
The architectural project also valued the
maintenance and preservation of the house's pre-existing details , such as the decorative boiseries and the front façade. The decision was made after a conversation between Qianyi and the owner, who understood that the original items, such as the decorative ceiling and the wooden window seats, they were
too good to miss .
The highlight of the decor is the
color blue chosen to cover much of the colorful furniture. This tone came from the owner's request for a color that would complement the house's materials with
its own personality .
