Ultimo House

Designed by Thodey Design Architects and built by Francis Oliver Bespoke Construct, Ultimo House makes full use of its 76-square-metre site. Space is a luxury in the compact heritage listed home, so every inch of the property had to be carefully considered to maximise what they have.

On top of the limited size, one of the design challenges was to pay homage to the terrace home’s past while also updating it and bringing it into the present. Thodey Designs delivered on this brief through careful attention to detail. Exposed brick and natural timbers speak to the home’s heritage, while the polished concrete floors and black window and door frames offer a chic edge.

The culmination of their efforts can be seen in the property’s standout feature: a central lightwell courtyard. This space offers a strong connection to the outside, while also acting as a centrepiece for the interior. The courtyard’s versatility is achieved through a combination of floor-to-ceiling Quantum bi-fold doors and Quantum sliding windows that encapsulate the area and allow it to remain a separate outdoor sanctuary, or become part of the interior with the push of a door.

It may sound contradictory speaking of homes that feel both expansive and intimate, but Ultimo House manages to capture both those feelings. This comes down to the finer details, such as the timber bench that runs along the base of the upstairs, transforming what could be just a hallway into a space for reading, working or intimate conversation.  

Everything about Ultimo House reflects a strong vision. And it’s Francis Oliver Bespoke Construct’s ability to bring Thodey Designs’ vision to life through a considered approach to light, textures and tones that sets the standard for heritage renovations.