Welcome back to Behind the Facade, your backstage pass into the personal stories that shape the homes we love.
Today, we are at 42 Union Street, Tempe, a home that has grown with its people for nearly two decades. Jude and her family arrived at a charming two-bedroom cottage, then patiently shaped it into a generous, light-filled haven that keeps everyone connected while still giving space to breathe.
They chose the house first, then discovered the gift that came with it. Community. Union Street is one of those rare addresses where neighbours know each other by name, where dinners appear on calendars, and where friendships stretch across seasons. “It felt like the childhood I remember,” Jude says, smiling. Friendly faces on the footpath. Doors open. A street that looks out for one another without fuss.
Tempe itself sits at the sweet spot of the Inner West. Close to everything, yet quietly residential when you want a slower pace. Marrickville’s cafes and markets are an easy walk. Newtown is a short train ride away. Tempe Station, the Metro, and bus routes make the city feel very near. Three stops to Central and you are there. It is a place that rewards theatre tickets on a whim and Saturday mornings that start with coffee and end with something delicious.
The original cottage at the front holds that early Federation charm. Decorative ceilings, a welcoming hallway, and the kind of warmth that only comes from years of family life. When the children were small, the home wrapped around them easily. As they grew, the plan grew too. Working with an architect and builder, the family created a clear brief. Four bedrooms. Two bathrooms. Two living rooms. The open plan at the rear allows cooking, conversation, and homework to fold together naturally.
The extension feels intuitive from the first step. The rear pavilion opens to the garden and light, with full-height glazing that draws the sun across the floor. A wide island anchors the kitchen and keeps the cook in the conversation. Appliances are efficient and fully electric, with induction cooking that works beautifully with the home’s solar array. Storage has been carefully considered, so surfaces remain calm and everyday life feels ordered.
Materials support comfort as much as they please the eye. The front retains its brick warmth and classic texture. The new structure at the rear uses a fire-rated, highly insulated external system that keeps temperatures steady and energy use low. Thick glazing softens outside noise. In summer, the house cools quickly and stays that way. In winter, warmth lingers. Air conditioning is there if you need it, although the family finds the home holds its own very well. A rainwater tank supports garden care and everyday efficiency. Solar panels power much of the routine. Sustainability here is not a slogan. It is simply how the house works.
The plan creates a rhythm that suits every season of family life. The two living room configuration makes the space perfect for gatherings, large and small. One can be lively with music and conversation, while the other offers a quiet corner for reading or a late-night film. As the children became teenagers, that separation proved invaluable. Everyone could retreat when needed, then return to the table without feeling apart. The garden draws people outside.
A covered pergola extends the living space throughout the year, providing shade in summer and shelter in rain, making it perfect for long lunches and late afternoons.
Light and openness define the rear rooms. Stand at the back door, and the whole story is visible. Kitchen, dining, living, then lawn. It is social and easy. Guests flow in without ceremony. The island becomes a natural gathering point. There is space to spread out platters, pour a drink, and still talk to the people seated at the table. The proportions feel generous without losing their human scale.
Life here is practical in all the right ways. Tempe Public School is at the end of the street. Tempe High is nearby. Mornings are simple—no long commutes for the children. Afternoon activities are easily accessible by train or bus. Shopping options surround the suburb, so errands fit neatly between things you actually want to do.
Ask Jude for a favourite memory and she pauses, then laughs. There are too many. New Year’s dinners with neighbours. Birthday cakes on the pergola table. A whole house of teenagers in the front lounge while the adults talk at the back. Mornings when light slides across the floor and the dog claims the garden first. It is the ordinary magic of a home that understands how families really live.
For the subsequent owners, the invitation is clear. Enjoy the best of the Inner West with a house that has already resolved the critical questions. Four real bedrooms. Two well-placed bathrooms. Two living rooms that make togetherness feel easy. A kitchen planned for connection. Innovative sustainability that lowers costs and raises comfort. A garden that brings everyone outdoors. All of it set within a street where community is not an idea, it is a habit.
From a modest cottage to a generous sanctuary, 42 Union Street has learned its rhythm and kept its heart. It is ready for another long chapter.
Watch the full interview here.
‘Behind The Facade’ is your backstage pass to the world of architecture and homeownership. We go beyond the status quo to bring you candid conversations with architects and homeowners, discovering the inspirations, challenges and personal stories that breathe life into these structures. It is architecture unmasked, raw, authentic, and deeply human.