Sam Crawford Architects has completed a stunning renovation and extension of Waverley House, a 1950s bungalow in Sydney, Australia, creating a innovative family home centered around a multifunctional timber staircase. The project transforms the original mid-century structure into a "peaceful but playful" environment that strengthens connections to the surrounding landscape while serving the needs of a young, growing family.

The architectural firm's approach focused on preserving the integrity of the existing 1950s home while enhancing its relationship with the verdant surroundings. "Our clients hoped to maintain the bones of the solid existing 1950s home and strengthen the connection with the verdant surroundings," director Sam Crawford explained. "They were looking to create a home that encouraged connection as a family and also allowed for moments of privacy, without having to do everything in one open space."

At the heart of the renovation lies a spectacular light-filled staircase constructed from spotted gum timber, featuring split levels and integrated cozy nooks designed for reading and relaxation. The innovative design includes a mesh hammock positioned above the stairs, creating a unique play space. Natural light and ventilation flow into this central area through strategically placed roof periscopes and large windows that overlook an internal courtyard.

"The stairs are much more than a place of transit – they function as the centrepiece of the home with all the spaces on all four levels revolving around the staircase," Crawford noted. "There is a utilitarian function, a physical connection, but they are also multifunctional and include a hidden pantry, multiple nooks for reading, relaxing, playing, bringing in light and generating a large void creating a sense of space."

Rather than creating a fully open-plan layout, the architects introduced smaller, quieter spaces at the front of the house on the ground floor. These intimate areas include a dedicated study, a living room "retreat," and a practical utility area. The design carefully balances communal family spaces with private zones for individual activities.

The studio made a significant design decision to lower the rear ground floor in response to the gently sloping site, creating a separate level for the main living, kitchen, and dining areas. "The move to split and drop the rear of the home was a big part of reconnecting the house to the site – it allows easy street entry whilst also opening living areas directly onto the garden," Crawford explained.

Responding to the family's desire for a strong connection to the outdoors, the living space features an expansive window with a deep wooden window seat that overlooks the carefully landscaped garden. This design element creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living while providing a comfortable spot for contemplation and relaxation.

The first-floor extension has been thoughtfully designed to create clear separation between parents' and children's spaces, with each zone positioned on opposite sides of the central staircase. On the garden side, the parents' area includes a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom finished in elegant green terrazzo tiles, along with a second study featuring a built-in timber desk. The children's bedrooms are strategically located at the front of the house and open onto a charming small balcony.

The interior material palette reflects an earth-toned aesthetic dominated by timber, tiles, and terrazzo finishes. Dark timber ceilings create dramatic contrast with pale beeswax-finished render on the walls. "There are a variety of colors in the house, with distinct palettes in different spaces," explained Jarad Grice, senior associate at Sam Crawford Architects. "As much as possible, we used colors that are intrinsic to a material, like terracotta tiles or charred timber cladding, but we also used paint where appropriate."

The material consistency throughout the home maintains visual harmony while allowing for subtle variations. "As the colors shift throughout each space, a similar materiality was maintained with the use of terrazzo, tile and painted surfaces," Grice continued. "In the kitchen, there is a subtle but important shift in the timber finish – spotted gum is used throughout the house, aside from the kitchen cabinetry in ironbark."

The exterior treatment carefully balances preservation with innovation. Waverley House's original external walls were retained, with the distinctive white "popcorn render" reinstated on the ground floor. This historical element contrasts beautifully with charred-timber cladding and natural timber battens used on the first-floor extension, creating a deliberate dialogue between the original 1950s structure and contemporary additions.

Sam Crawford Architects, founded by Sam Crawford in Sydney in 1999, has established a reputation for thoughtful residential renovations that respect architectural heritage while meeting modern family needs. The firm's recent projects featured in architectural publications include a distinctive red-roofed community pavilion and another home renovation topped with a "garden oasis." The Waverley House project exemplifies the studio's ability to transform existing structures into contemporary family homes that prioritize both functionality and aesthetic appeal while maintaining strong connections to their natural surroundings.