How an artist turned a tiny two-bedder into an award-nominated family home
When Jay Wood purchased an 1880s Victorian terrace in Sydney’s Erskineville in 2019, it needed significant renovations.
The two-bedroom home was damp and mouldy from torrential rain and was uninspiring, just bricks and mortar.
Home owner Jay Wood (left) and architect Dean Williams (right) transformed a 1880s Victorian terrace in Sydney’s Erskineville into a contemporary abode.Credit: Edwina Pickles
Fast forward to 2025 and the home is a contemporary abode, with the existing terrace facade and a double-height polycarbonate addition at the rear which has been nominated for a prestigious architecture award.
The total floor area is 95 square metres, and can house just Jay or his family of five with a series of interchangeable rooms.
Instead of a standard three or four-bedroom home, there are a series of interconnected spaces.
Velvet curtains close off rooms for privacy when needed.Credit: Clinton Weaver
“Land is at a premium in Erskineville, so we wanted to make sure that we used the space in the most creative way,” Wood, an artist, said of collaborating with Architect George director Dean Williams.
The tiny terrace hides an “experimental” polycarbonate addition with a soaring ceiling at the rear.Credit: Clinton Weaver
“A bedroom doesn’t necessarily have to be a bedroom. It can be an art studio and somewhere to sleep at the same time,” Wood said.
Williams said the terrace had pokey rooms with very low ceiling height. They came up with the idea of adding a “polycarbonate lid” on top of the old brick walls.
Polycarbonate is essentially a plastic recycled material that is typically used in commercial properties.Credit: Edwina Pickles
Polycarbonate is essentially a plastic recycled material that is typically used in commercial properties.
Translucent insulation between each layer of the polycarbonate material allows light to pass through, controlling the heat mode.
“It has a very long life span so you can eliminate other materials such as plasterboard and roofing,” Williams said.
The polycarbonate addition wraps around the bagged-brick walls and the top of the building, and starts from 2.7 metres above floor level.
“It’s this kind of light box that sits above you,” Dean explained.
“Below, we have traditional doors and windows that open up to allow for cross-ventilation throughout the house.”
A cream palette is complemented by dusty pink mosaics and glossy amber tiles.Credit: Clinton Weaver
Williams said the skinny terrace typology was difficult to work with. The terrace is 3.6 metres wide.
The front room has been retained as a flexible living space with a full-size bed to become a bedroom at night. A velvet curtain closes off the room.
The front room flows through to a dining space that can be closed off by a curtain. On the opposite side of the dining room, a curtain closes it off from the art studio where Jay works. A stand-up bench doubles as a bed.
The front room flows through to a dining space that can be closed off by a curtain.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The next series of rooms are bathing spaces.
“The bath sits in the middle of the house and can be fully opened to the entire house,” Williams said.
“It’s a singular room for when Jay is alone, but there are also sliding panels for privacy.”
Sliding panels offer privacy.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The bathrooms flow through to the polycarbonate addition with its kitchen and living area.
Polycarbonate, blackbutt timber and glossy amber tiles feature throughout.Credit: Edwina Pickles
Upstairs, the front bedroom sits in the traditional part of the terrace and has a balcony. It has one of the few internal doors where the room can be closed off in a more traditional way.
Wood sleeps in a loft bedroom in part of the polycarbonate addition.Credit: Edwina Pickles
There’s also a second bathroom and a loft within the polycarbonate build that can be closed with movable panels.
“Rooms are multifunctional depending on the time of day and who is in the house,” Williams said.
There is no artificial cooling, with just two fireplaces and operable timber panels.
Polycarbonate, blackbutt timber and glossy amber tiles feature throughout.
Wood admitted he was horrified by the initial all-cream pitch but came around to it, with the addition of dusty pink mosaics in the bathrooms and amber hues for benchtops and splashbacks.
Wood was initially turned off by the architect firm’s all-cream pitch.Credit: Clinton Weaver
“As somebody who enjoys art and colour, I was horrified when my architects presented the option of having an all-cream building,” he said with a laugh.
“It was hilarious. Then I came around to it, I saw their vision, and it’s just perfect.”
The property has been nominated for an award at the 2025 Houses Awards.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The project, known as House in Erskineville, has been nominated under the category of house alteration and addition under 200 square metres, for the 2025 Houses Awards.
Winners will be announced at the State Library of NSW on Friday, August 1.