The home at 19 Waterloo Street created by SJB in Sydney doesn't overheat in summer but lets light enter in winter

This creative house, designed by Sydney-based SJB, catches the eye with its unusual mix of window shapes and sizes. The playful design features round, rectangular, and porthole openings, along with a patchwork of reclaimed materials and broken bricks on the outside. Part of the facade also nods to the sandstone bases of nearby buildings, blending in with its surroundings.

Over the years, the building has served as a butcher shop, grocery store, hat store, and restaurant. Now, it's a multi-purpose space with a home, a self-contained flat, and a shop. "We wanted to create a flexible space for different uses," says Adam Haddow, director at SJB.

The house, winner of the 2023 World Interior of the Year award, sits on a tiny 30-square-meter (323-square-foot) plot. Haddow drew from his university research, where he explored how films can create the illusion of more space. His inspiration came from Jacques Tati’s films Mon Oncle and Playtime, which poke fun at the rigid uniformity of modern architecture.

Inside, the house feels larger than it is, with rooms that shift from cozy, low-ceilinged spaces to grand, high-ceilinged ones. Sustainability is key here—the house reuses materials, and its cleverly designed windows let in fresh air, so there’s no need for air conditioning. It also follows Passivhaus principles, staying cool in summer and warm in winter, while the rooftop garden helps reduce city heat.