De Witt delicately stitches a modern maker's retreat into the historic fabric of Battery Point.

Designed for a couple relocating from regional NSW, the project balances the preservation of a beloved garden with the need for a single-level home that supports aging in place. We adopted a strategy of quiet sensitivity, retaining the original front cottage to leave the street elevation untouched.

The new extension is pushed to the rear, adopting a low, recessive form that respects the scale of the neighbourhood while accommodating a dedicated boat-building workshop.

To navigate the tight site, strategic courtyards are introduced to draw natural light deep into the plan. A palette of honest, natural materials provides warmth, ensuring the intervention is distinct yet deeply respectful of its heritage context.