Jury Citation:⁠
Unassumingly concealed behind a generous Victorian façade, this Darlinghurst terrace reveals a poetic reimagining of form, volume and domestic life. The jury commends Smart Design Studio for a work made possible through deep trust between architect and client, an alignment that has enabled a bold and highly resolved architectural proposition.⁠
Rejecting the expected lateral glass extension, the insertion of a quatrefoil into the plan becomes the project’s defining gesture. Extruded through the full height of the interior, and then strategically carved, it resists formal rigidity in favour of spatial generosity and nuance. Opened above the dining room, the form captures and modulates light throughout the day, creating a sequence of volumes that oscillate between expansive and intimate.⁠
This motif is deftly reiterated in the courtyard and accommodation above the garage, reinforcing a cohesive yet quietly expressive language. The overarching parti is both sculptural and purposeful, each incision serving function, light and inhabitation.⁠
Layered with meticulous detail, from individually resolved bathrooms to a finely curated collection of furniture and art, the project achieves a rare synthesis of concept and craft. From its first sketch to its realised form, this is a masterful interior – precise, deeply considered and enduring.⁠