Jodie Dang ARCHITECTS
Conservation Extension
Existing
Located within Sydney’s Inner West, the original two-bedroom terrace was typical of many narrow urban homes — dark, constrained and disconnected from natural light despite its generous site potential. Limited access to sunlight, poor ventilation and compact living spaces resulted in a home that felt enclosed and disconnected from contemporary family living.
The opportunity was to transform the existing terrace into a light-filled and highly functional urban residence that would maximise space, improve environmental performance and create a stronger sense of openness throughout the home.
Client Brief
The clients sought to reconfigure and extend the existing terrace into a contemporary family home that felt calm, spacious and naturally connected to light and air throughout the seasons. A key priority was increasing accommodation from a two-bedroom dwelling into a four-bedroom home, while maintaining openness, flexibility and a strong connection to natural light within the constraints of the narrow urban site.
The brief also called for a sustainable and cost-conscious construction approach that could respond to the logistical challenges of a site where all materials and construction access were limited to the original front entry.
Design Response
The design carefully reimagines the terrace through a series of light-filled interventions that dramatically enhance both spatial quality and environmental performance. The existing two-bedroom layout was transformed into a generous four-bedroom residence with an additional study, creating flexible living spaces that support contemporary family life.
A central design feature is the sculptural staircase and oversized highlight window, which together act as a vertical light well drawing soft natural light deep into the centre of the home. This strategy eliminates the reliance on traditional skylights, reducing the risk of overheating during summer while maintaining a bright and naturally illuminated interior throughout the day.
Cross ventilation was integrated into every space, allowing the home to naturally breathe and regulate temperature across changing seasons. Carefully positioned openings and internal planning create a continuous flow of fresh air, improving comfort and reducing long-term energy demands.
Responding to the site’s tight access constraints, the extension was designed using lightweight construction methods that enabled efficient material handling through the narrow terrace while maintaining construction efficiency and budget control. The result is a contemporary urban home that feels calm, spacious and environmentally responsive — balancing architectural simplicity with thoughtful sustainable design.
Sustainability Strategy
This home is designed around a low-impact, high-performance approach to residential construction, combining durable material choices with passive environmental design principles to reduce operational energy use and improve long-term comfort.
A low-carbon construction system was adopted through the use of lightweight metal cladding combined with sustainably framed timber structure, significantly reducing embodied carbon while maintaining durability and precision in detailing.
Thermal performance is enhanced through insulation levels that exceed Australian standards, ensuring the home remains naturally comfortable throughout both summer and winter without reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
Cross ventilation has been integrated into every room of the house, allowing the building to naturally breathe across seasons. This passive airflow strategy supports natural cooling during warmer months, improves indoor air quality, and reduces overall energy demand while enhancing everyday
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Jodie Dang Architects creating sustainable house designs in Sydney's Inner West. Modern terrace extension
Inquire - How To Start?
To find out more on how to get started on your project, or understand what you can achieve on your site, and your budget we can send you a free process booklet which outlines all the consultants required for your project and expected timelines.
