An iconic townhouse designed by the late Sydney architect Ken Woolley is currently under review for inclusion on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. The distinctive property, known as both the Woolley Townhouse and Paddington House, was built in 1980 at 8A Cooper Street in Paddington and served as the personal residence of Ken Woolley and his wife Virginia Braden Woolley for seven years.
According to the Heritage Council of NSW, this townhouse represents the final residence that Woolley designed for himself out of three total projects. The building stands as an early example of his innovative ability to blend postmodern architectural elements with the distinctive Sydney School design philosophy that characterized much of the city's residential architecture during that era.
The home's unique design has been recognized as a testing ground for Woolley's groundbreaking concepts about modern urban living. In a 2020 retrospective article for Houses magazine, architecture critic Peter Salhani described the project as both an experimental space for the architect's new ideas and a tribute to Virginia's passion for music, noting the building's distinctive grand-piano-shaped form. This musical inspiration is particularly evident in the three-story tower section, which is specifically shaped like the heel of a grand piano.
The architectural excellence of the Paddington House was immediately recognized upon its completion, earning the prestigious Wilkinson Award for Residential Architecture in 1983. At the time of construction, the building was celebrated as the best new house in New South Wales, cementing Woolley's reputation as an innovative residential architect.
Peter Salhani's detailed review highlighted several distinctive architectural features that demonstrate Woolley's international influences, particularly the barrel-vaulted ceiling and unique porthole apertures throughout the home. These elements were directly inspired by the work of renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, showing Woolley's ability to incorporate global modernist principles into his distinctly Australian designs.
While the home has undergone various modifications over the years, including alterations by previous custodian Milenko Mijuskovic of Studio Redux, recent renovations have been particularly thoughtful. Casey Brown Architecture has completed several contemporary additions and alterations, including the installation of a basement-level bar and an attractive outdoor terrace. The Heritage Council of NSW has noted that much of this recent work aligns well with Ken Woolley's original design intentions and architectural vision.
The process of securing state heritage recognition for the townhouse has been ongoing since 2021, when Woollahra Municipal Council formally nominated the building after identifying its potential state significance. This nomination was based on a comprehensive 2005 heritage study conducted by the architectural firm Clive Lucas, Stapleton and Partners. The dwelling had previously been recognized by the council in 2004 as an item of high local significance within the broader Paddington Heritage Conservation Area.
Last year, the Heritage Council of NSW issued a summary paper recommending that Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe give serious consideration to granting the Woolley Townhouse official state heritage listing status. The state's independent planning commission has now been assigned the responsibility of thoroughly reviewing this proposal and collecting public input before the minister makes her final decision on the listing.
Members of the public who wish to contribute their perspectives on the proposed heritage listing can submit their comments through the official process, which remains open until Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Additional information about the listing criteria and detailed instructions for submitting public comments can be found through the Heritage Council's online resources.
