Simple designs are often the most difficult to bring to life, which is why the home at 349 Livingstone Road, Marrickville, is such an elegant and thoughtful example of “less is more.” Its floor plans reveal a straightforward rectangular footprint which might not look like much from a quick glance, but closer inspection reveals the full potential of its internal spaces and why its design was shortlisted for no less than four different architecture and interior awards.
Known as “Courted House,” its design was shortlisted for the 2019 Houses Awards in the New House Over 200m² category during an extremely competitive year that saw Daylesford’s Longhouse Farm claim first prize. Situated on an unassuming 556.5m² block of land, the home blurs the lines between inside and out, with the lush gardens that surround the property and an abundance of plant life inside the residence.
Featuring four bedrooms, two bathrooms and one car space, it isn’t the largest house in Marrickville, but its design means it’s easily one of the most livable. After strolling through the front garden to the entranceway, the home immediately begins to unfold before you thanks to the ground level being almost entirely open plan, with the exception of the quartet of bedrooms that each occupy a corner of the rectangular space.
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What serves to separate spaces within the large open plan arrangement is a wonderful central courtyard, which serves as the middle square of a 9 x 9 grid that you could lay over the floor plan. The courtyard acts as the heart of the home, with a garden, deck area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that can be opened or closed to allow airflow and conversation from one room to another.
The ground level features the living and dining spaces, as well as the kitchen which can directly open onto the courtyard as it delivers an abundance of natural light into the home. Naturally, the master bedroom is the largest of the four, with a walk-in-robe and ensuite bathroom, but much like the other three bedrooms, features a ladder up to the split upper-level lofts that are each around half the size of the bedroom below.
This clever architectural layout sees half of each bedroom opening up with a double-height ceiling, while a narrow spiral staircase near the entrance to the home leads you up to a lounge room. It also sees the ground-level kitchen, living and dining spaces also enjoy spacious double-height ceilings that compound the sense of openness and space in the 264m² home. The rear of the home also features floor-to-ceiling windows, which almost bring the back gardens right into the residence thanks to a number of trees and an open lawn area.
The remarkable property at 349 Livingstone Road, Marrickville, is well deserving of its celebration by the architectural and design communities, truly making the most out of its size by creating distinct and delightfully unexpected spaces within. It has recently arrived on the market represented by the team CobdenHayson, who will auction the property on Thursday, 24th of this month at 6: 30 PM.
If you’re as impressed by this home as we are, you can get in contact with the agents below.
