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SRG House
Sydney Open Symposium: House Tours
Sunday 24 May 2026
A sensitive yet transformative reworking of a three-storey semi originally designed for Sir Roy Grounds
About the building
Perched on a steep harbourside site in Balmain, SRG House is a sensitive yet transformative reworking of a three-storey 1970s modernist semi originally designed for renowned architect Sir Roy Grounds. Reimagined by Studio Johnston, the project carefully restores the home’s distinctive concrete structure while opening it up to contemporary life, landscape and light.
Stripped back to its original shell, the house reveals a robust geometric framework that has been both celebrated and softened. Previous unsympathetic alterations were removed, allowing the clarity of the original design to re-emerge. Within this restored structure, the plan has been rationalised to create a generous, multigenerational home that remains entirely within its original footprint.
A key move was replacing fixed glazing with sliding and stacking glass doors, transforming the living level into a fluid indoor–outdoor space. The house now engages directly with its central courtyard, gardens and harbour views, inviting natural light and ventilation deep into the building. Lower-ground spaces, once occupied by an air-conditioning plant, have been reconfigured into bedrooms and living areas that connect seamlessly to the landscape.
Materially, the project draws on the home’s retro origins while introducing warmth and tactility. Cork, timber, wool and brass echo the original palette, while carefully detailed joinery and restored surfaces soften the building’s angular geometry. The result is a house that balances heritage and innovation, honouring its past while performing for the future.
SRG House has been recognised with multiple industry awards, acknowledging its sensitive restoration and thoughtful contemporary adaptation.
Architect/Designer
Studio Johnston
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