A warehouse of unexpected moments.

The transformation is the work of Carter Williamson Architects, who reimagined the 288-square-metre, two-level building around a simple but consequential move: removing almost a third of the original roof and floor plan. In its place sits a landscaped courtyard, turning the centre of the warehouse into an open-air room and fundamentally changing the way the house breathes.

 For the owners, the appeal was there long before the renovation.

 “When we bought the home in 2014, it was so full of character and personality,” they say. “We loved its quirks - an internal bridge and an indoor fishpond by the front door.”

 Having spent time looking at terrace houses across the Inner West, the difference was immediate. The warehouse offered something the terraces could not: height, openness and a sense of expansiveness.

 “We just immediately fell in love with how open and expansive the warehouse felt in comparison, with its high ceilings and open-plan living.”

They embraced that character rather than trying to disguise it. A projector was aimed at the original brick wall instead of introducing a television, while the walls became a backdrop for an evolving collection of art. Over time, however, the house evolved with them.

 “Internally the personality of the home has transformed and grown with us over time - from a gritty warehouse space perfect for hosting parties in our 30s, to a sophisticated and cosy family home - which remains a great space for entertaining.”

 The element that has remained is the sense of discovery. “From the street it is so unassuming and people are always surprised when they step inside,” the owners say.

 Light and warmth became the essential brief for Carter Williamson. The architects responded not with decoration alone, but by changing the physical structure of the house. The new courtyard and lightwell draw sun and air into the downstairs living zone, creating a sequence between garden, kitchen, dining and lounge beneath the dramatic double-height void.

 The architecture has a sculptural quality, with curved forms echoed in steel-framed windows and doorways. Original warehouse elements remain visible, including exposed timber beams and the industrial structure, but their harder edges are softened by a deliberately rich palette: Breccia Rosso marble, muted green, warm ochre, timber and aged brass.

It is an approach that makes the house feel considered without becoming precious. The curved island kitchen, integrated barbecue and bar create a natural social centre, while an oversized butler’s pantry and concealed laundry keep the practical workings of family life discreetly out of sight. Upstairs, three bedrooms share the same level, while a fourth is separated from the main building, offering flexibility for guests, work or retreat.

 The garden is equally integral to the architecture. Landscaped by Dangar Barin Smith, it brings a softness and sense of enclosure to what could otherwise be an intensely urban setting. Beyond the home, a communal pool shared by a collection of four residences adds another layer to the unusual setting.

 “The biggest surprise is the way that the team was able to transform the downstairs living space completely - from a space that felt cold and dark, particularly in winter, to a warm, sun-filled space that fills us with joy.”

Then there is the silence.

 “The other surprise for me is the juxtaposition between how peaceful and calm the house feels from the inside, despite all of the amenity nearby. For us it was the perfect location.”

 That location has only become more compelling. Positioned between Enmore, Newtown and Stanmore, the house sits within easy reach of the Inner West’s increasingly vibrant food, bar and cultural scene. Enmore Road has evolved considerably since the owners arrived, with favourite rituals ranging from a beer at The Courty to dinner at Continental Deli, coffee at Soulmate and takeaway from Saray.

 Yet it is the life inside the house that has ultimately given the place its meaning.

 “The enduring memory for us will be enjoying slow weekend mornings tucked up in bed with a coffee having cuddles with the kids and our dog Iggy.”

 The bedroom captures something of the house’s relationship with its garden. “We love the morning light streaming through the windows and there are always birds stopping by to eat the flowers outside.

 “For us this home was the perfect urban oasis. And we hope the next owners will enjoy the buzz of Inner West life as much as we did.”

View the listing: 2A Gilpin Street, Camperdown