19 Waterloo Street House by SJB: A Compact Mixed-Use Reinvention in Surry Hills

The transformation of 19 Waterloo Street House by SJB reimagines a forgotten corner terrace in Surry Hills, Sydney, turning a formerly chaotic and overbuilt site into a refined, compact, and highly functional mixed-use residence. Surrounded by the industrial remnants and historic terraces of Sydney’s former rag-trade district, the project restores architectural integrity while crafting a contemporary urban dwelling that embraces the layered character of its neighbourhood.

Originally functioning as a butcher, grocer, window workshop, hat maker and eventually a restaurant with rooms above, the building has endured an eclectic, fragmented past. Over decades, a patchwork of additions and lean-to structures accumulated across the site, creating an environment overwhelmed by disorder. SJB’s design approach began by stripping back this unruly history, uncovering the potential to introduce a shop, a private flat and a compact home within the modest footprint.

The new built form occupies only 30 square metres at the rear, resulting in a total internal area of just 69 square metres. Working with this extreme spatial constraint, SJB employs a split-section strategy anchored by a central stair that acts as a spatial pivot for the entire house. The home is organized into “served” and “service” spaces to enhance usability and comfort within the vertical layout. Utility-focused zones such as the kitchen, robe, ensuite and storage feature 2.1-metre ceilings, while the primary living areas—study, living room and bedroom—reach up to 3.6 metres, creating moments of surprising generosity in a small footprint.

With a maximum depth of 3.3 metres, the house maintains consistent access to daylight and cross-ventilation, ensuring strong visual and environmental connectivity. The result is an urban residence that remains deeply attuned to the city’s rhythms, making urban living both intimate and dynamic.

Externally, the architecture expresses playfulness and character through its tactile brick façade, which draws inspiration from the textures and eclectic charm of Surry Hills. Reclaimed bricks form a richly layered surface, while broken bricks reference the historic sandstone foundations that define nearby streets. These materials are cut, folded and reassembled to conceal openings, guide views and introduce sculptural depth. A shift in brick scale on the upper levels frames windows and supports areas for planting, offering softness and organic touchpoints amid the density.

Artistic collaboration plays a central role in the project’s identity. The bronze front gate, created by sculptor Mika Utzon-Popov, offers a distinctive and inviting threshold, while an immersive landscape artwork by Nicholas Harding fills the living room and remains partially visible from the street. These elements reinforce the home’s role not just as an urban dwelling but as a creative marker within the community.

All photographs are works of Anson Smart