Lysaght steel products were specified for a two-storey Victorian-era terrace house in Sydney’s Marrickville during its restoration.

Built in 1886, the house, ‘Ellerslie’ featured an Italianate style of architecture. The house had, over time, fallen into disrepair, and by the turn of the millennium, was a shadow of its former self.

Much of its original Italianate detail had been removed: the original roof coverings had been replaced with concrete tiles, the front balcony had been built-in, the house’s decorative fascias, iron lace and cast-iron columns, and curved corrugated balcony roofs had all been removed, and its tessellated tiles had been covered with concrete pavers.

Additionally, the interior dividing doors between the formal living rooms had been removed, cornices and ceiling roses had been taken off to accommodate built-ins and modern light fittings, some of the house’s windows had been replaced with aluminium, and its stained glass had been covered up.

Engaged to execute the restoration, Mackenzie Pronk Architects settled on a two-pronged approach.

The architects began with a full restoration, which they completed with the assistance of Wilred Constructions. To re-roof the dwelling, they chose LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB in ZINCALUME steel, along with original style LYSAGHT QUAD gutters and round downpipes.

Next, Mackenzie Pronk made some additions to the historic residence. Using recycled timbers, they (along with builders D2 Constructions and Xtrafine) created a plunge pool, deck, pool fence and boathouse. They also used original sandstock bricks from the demolished single room and laundry structure to pave the driveway and western side outdoor dining area.

Lysaght steel products were also used for the new extension added to the main house. The new living areas and a main bedroom suite (constructed by Morgan and Civil), which are completely separate to the original house feature a carefully selected palette that is sympathetic to the original house. The architects specified internal and external timber linings and included a corrugated ZINCALUME steel clad structure as an armature for sliding timber doors on the key facades.

Relying heavily on LYSAGHT steel products, the addition contrasts sharply with the Victorian frontage – it includes ZINCALUME steel wall cladding and LYSAGHT CUSTOM ORB ACCENT roof sheeting, which is trimmed to the view side with an over scaled hot rolled steel angle portal frame.

Internally, steel columns structure the use of the spaces and the palette includes a stainless steel kitchen and timber linings. The folded ZINCALUME steel flashings at window openings are modelled off traditional detailing.

The project was named Best Heritage/Restoration project at the Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards 2018, a programme that celebrates outstanding Australian architectural work incorporating LYSAGHT steel building products.

Ellerslie has not only returned to its former glory, but has also stepped confidently into the 21st century.

Architecture & Design Team

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