{"id":10983,"date":"2025-12-01T13:52:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T13:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rutha.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/01\/sam-crawford-reorganises-1950s-sydney-home-around-multifunctional-staircase\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T13:52:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T13:52:29","slug":"sam-crawford-reorganises-1950s-sydney-home-around-multifunctional-staircase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rutha.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/01\/sam-crawford-reorganises-1950s-sydney-home-around-multifunctional-staircase\/","title":{"rendered":"Sam Crawford reorganises 1950s Sydney home around multifunctional staircase"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Waverley<\/div>\n

Australian studio Sam Crawford Architects<\/a> has renovated and extended Waverley House in Sydney<\/a>, reorganising the home<\/a> around a timber staircase<\/a> with nooks for sitting and relaxing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam Crawford Architects<\/a> adapted the original 1950s bungalow<\/a> for a young, growing family, aiming to create a “peaceful but playful” environment with strong connections to the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n

\"White
Sam Crawford Architects has renovated a 1950s bungalow called Waverley House<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Our clients hoped to maintain the bones of the solid existing 1950s home and strengthen the connection with the verdant surroundings,” director Sam Crawford told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

“They were looking to create a home that encouraged connection as a family and also allowed for moments of privacy, without having to do everything in one open space,” Crawford said.<\/p>\n

\"Timber
A spotted gum timber staircase features at the centre of the plan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A light-filled staircase made from spotted gum timber was added at the heart of the plan. The studio designed the staircase with split levels, integrating cosy nooks for reading and a mesh hammock above.<\/p>\n

Natural light and ventilation are drawn into this central space through roof periscopes<\/a>, as well as large windows looking onto the internal courtyard.<\/p>\n

\"Internal
An internal courtyard draws light into Waverley House<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The stairs are much more than a place of transit \u2013 they function as the centrepiece of the home with all the spaces on all four levels revolving around the staircase,” said Crawford.<\/p>\n

“There is a utilitarian function, a physical connection, but they are also multifunctional and include a hidden pantry, multiple nooks for reading, relaxing, playing, bringing in light and generating a large void creating a sense of space,” he stated.<\/p>\n

\"Children
Nooks and places to sit and relax were incorporated into the staircase<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Avoiding a fully open-plan layout, the studio introduced smaller, quieter spaces at the front of the house on the ground floor. These include a study, a living room “retreat” and a utility area.<\/p>\n

Beyond the central staircase, the studio lowered the rear ground floor in response to the gently sloping site, creating a separate level for the main living, kitchen and dining space.<\/p>\n

“The move to split and drop the rear of the home was a big part of reconnecting the house to the site \u2013 it allows easy street entry whilst also opening living areas directly onto the garden,” said Crawford.<\/p>\n

\"Living
The rear ground floor was lowered to meet the garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Responding to a request for a strong connection to the outdoors, the living space features a large window with a deep wooden window seat overlooking\u00a0the landscaped garden.<\/p>\n

Upstairs, the first-floor extension to the bungalow has been designed to create a separation between parents’ and children’s spaces, which are split on either side of the staircase.<\/p>\n

\"Kitchen
Timber, terrazzo and tiles feature throughout the interior<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the garden side, the parents’ spaces include the master bedroom with an ensuite finished in green terrazzo tiles. There is also a second study with a built-in timber desk.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the children’s bedrooms are located at the front of the house, leading out to a small balcony.<\/p>\n