Tucked into the tightly gridded streets of Paddington, Sydney, this house is a quiet escape from the immediacy of its urban surrounds. Designed by MCK Architects in collaboration with Alwill Interiors, Equanimity unfolds as a meditative response to both site and brief – a home that gently defies the density of the terrace typology through clarity of form, softness of palette and a deep sense of composure.
From the street, the heritage facade offers little hint of what lies beyond. Inside, however, the architectural narrative gradually reveals itself. The linear plan opens into a calm procession of spaces – each one designed to bring in light, hold silence and support the rhythm of daily life. At its core, this house is a quiet escape, shaped to offer retreat, reflection and connection in equal measure.
Navigating the common challenges of a Paddington terrace – narrow boundaries, limited daylight and segmented planning – the architects introduced key gestures to reframe the spatial experience. A glazed roof brings a wash of south-facing light into the heart of the home, while a simple white wall acts as a reflector, dispersing light evenly throughout. The interior is layered in gentle contrast; curved forms, rich textures and neutral tones create warmth while leaving space for the client’s curated collection of antiquities and artworks to speak.
Within the living area, the architecture recedes, allowing the space to act almost as a gallery. Here, as throughout the home, there is a generosity that belies its compact footprint. The spaces are defined not by scale but by intent – every room feels purposeful, calm and composed. In this sense, this house is a quiet escape, shaped as much by what is removed as by what remains.
Romy Alwill’s interior direction brings a softness to the architectural framework, enriching it with layers of tactility and tonal depth. The palette moves between warm and cool, textured and smooth, grounding each space with a sense of stillness. The transition between levels is similarly considered – from open living to intimate private zones, the house gradually quietens as it moves upwards.
Equanimity is the result of close collaboration between architect, interior designer and client, a process grounded in mutual respect and shared values. The outcome is a residence that is not only finely resolved in its detailing but deeply attuned to how its occupants wish to live.
Above all, this house is a quiet escape from the pace of its city context. It is a project defined by restraint, material honesty and spatial clarity. As an architectural gesture, it is both subtle and enduring – a quiet moment held within the momentum of the everyday.
00:00 – Introduction to a Quiet Escape
01:15 – The Open Plan Brief
01:59 – Interior Collaborative Process
03:30 – Layout and Walkthrough of the Home
05:05 – Proud Moments
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Photography by Prue Ruscoe.
Architecture by MCK Architects.
Interior design by Atelier Alwill.
Filmed by The Local Production
Edited by Luke Chetham.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Paddington, New South Wales, Australia
The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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