Located in Argyle Place in Sydney’s historic harbourside The Rocks, an 1880s heritage-listed terrace has become the new home of acclaimed architect Caroline Pidcock and her partner John.

The terrace’s run-down condition did not deter Pidcock, who is ready to take on the task of restoring the heritage building with gusto, while respecting its historical value.

“As conservators of a home in such an important area, we need to respect and store the existing fabric as much as possible,” Pidcock says.

“Where the building fabric has been damaged beyond repair (mainly by termites and/or damp) we are replacing with materials to match what was there. The history of the house notes that it demonstrated the latest in building technologies when it was built in 1887. Therefore the new appliances, lights and furniture we are installing are state of the art examples that allow us to honour this tradition and to live sustainably.”

It is estimated the project will take between 2 and 5 years depending on approvals and resources. To be able to live in the home whilst the restoration is taking place, it was important for Pidcock to make sure there was order and organisation in certain areas almost immediately, particularly in the bedroom and dressing room.

Pidcock chose the Ximula flexible system as the perfect solution for this prestigious and much-loved historical home.

“I wanted the storage benefits of a built in wardrobe without the damage it would cause to the skirting boards and walls,” she explains.

“This system is attached only where the columns touch the walls, with all the other parts hanging off the columns. This means that if we decided to use the room for a different purpose in the future, it will be simple to remove it and repair the holes.

“Importantly, we wanted something that would look great and timeless while functioning well.”

Photography: Sue Stubbs

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