Sydney, a new house inspired by the surrounding Victorian building

Arches shape the plan and elevation of a house that Studio Chenchow Little designed in Sydney.

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

First floor plan

Drawing Chenchow Little

North facade

Drawing Chenchow Little

East facade

Drawing Chenchow Little

Section A-A

Drawing Chenchow Little

The house designed by Chenchow Little is located on a sandstone rock face overlooking the Sydney skyline in the suburb of Glebe city, known for its Victorian terraced houses and narrow streets. The new compact dwelling has replaced a cottage originally on the site.

The height of the new dwelling is limited by the distance and ridge line of the surrounding buildings, and despite the considerable constraints of the site, the housing project seeks to maximise the space available on the small plot. The shape of the building, starting from the geometric shape of the triangular block, results in a flat polygonal roof.

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018. Foto Peter Bennetts

As a reference to the curved openings and entrance porches of the surrounding houses, the simple shell of the Glebe House is articulated with arched openings, which, however, unlike the main reference, are presented both in elevation and plan. The windows, in fact, are aligned with the floor cuts of the first floor, to create three-dimensional internal voids, increasing, thus also increasing the entrance of light at the center of the habit, and increase the sense of space.



The elevations are also characterized by vertical panels in white painted wood that reproduce the materiality of the traditional cottages in the area. The large windows are rhythmed by vertical wooden uprights, which further reinforce the sense of verticality.


  • Glebe House
  • Chenchow Little
  • Stephanie Little, Tony Chenchow
  • Mark Hill, Joshua Mulford
  • Chenchow Little
  • Spirit Level Designs
  • Benvenuti Structural
  • Taylor Consulting
  • GK Wilson & Associates
  • Mersonn Pty Ltd
  • City Plan Services
  • Damien O’Toole Town Planning
  • Earthscape Horticultural Services
  • Traffix
  • Bayley Donald & Associates
  • Lochbuild
  • North Shore Custom Cabinetry
  • Windoor
  • Sydney, Australia
  • privat
  • private residence
  • 2016-2018
  • 374 smq
  • 154 smq
  • 202 smq
Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Foto Peter Bennetts

Glebe House, Chenchow Little, 2018

Drawing Chenchow Little

First floor plan

Drawing Chenchow Little

North facade

Drawing Chenchow Little

East facade

Drawing Chenchow Little

Section A-A