Warmington House

Warmington House is a considered renovation and extension of an existing cottage located in Paddington, Brisbane. Set within a steeply sloping inner-urban site, the project retains the original dwelling as a defining element of the streetscape while introducing a carefully scaled contemporary addition that recedes in form, ensuring the heritage cottage remains the dominant presence from the street.

The architectural strategy is centred on the integration of old and new, where the existing structure is not treated as separate from the addition but as an active component within a unified spatial composition. The extension is carefully articulated to respond to the scale, proportions and materiality of the original cottage, allowing both elements to coexist in dialogue rather than contrast.

At the heart of the home is a double-height void that acts as the primary organising element of the design. This vertical space connects the original building with the new addition, establishing visual and physical continuity across levels. It also structures circulation, providing orientation and clarity while drawing natural light deep into the interior.

The internal layout is arranged around this central void, with rooms positioned to engage both the vertical space and the surrounding landscape. This configuration strengthens the relationship between interior volumes and enhances the sense of openness, depth and spatial layering throughout the home.

Toward the rear, the void extends outward into the landscape, dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior space. This transition defines a sequence of outdoor rooms, including terraced gardens and a pool, which extend the architectural language of the interior into the landscape. These spaces support a layered experience of living, moving gradually from enclosed rooms to open garden environments.

Material continuity and natural light are fundamental to the experience of the house. Carefully selected materials are used to bridge old and new construction, while daylight is filtered through the central void and surrounding openings to highlight texture, depth and the evolving relationship between spaces.

Warmington House demonstrates Alexandra Buchanan Architecture’s approach to adaptive residential design, where heritage fabric and contemporary intervention are brought together through light, proportion and spatial clarity to create a cohesive and enduring inner-city home.