In 2006-07, Cameron McLean and I commissioned Brendan Kennedy of Haiku_2 to design substantial renovations to a turn-of-the-century three-storey Victorian terrace at Darlinghurst, NSW. The site is in a conservation zone with strict development controls. The site was difficult as it was steeply sloping and there was poor access. When purchased, it was being used as a boarding house.

Brendan produced a beautiful design, substantially restoring the original terrace front, with Victorian elements inside at the front and modern elements at the back. There are many aspects for which we are grateful for Brendan’s design sense and talent but some of them (in no particular order) are the kitchen, downstairs powder room, internal lightwell and balcony cut into the building at the back and on one side, internal wooden staircase (built into the airspace of a right of way from the street to the lower ground level, leaving the right of way unimpeded), bedroom clothes cupboards which take up no wall space, attic storage, light and airy bathrooms with greenery views but still with plenty of storage, and bookcases doubling as a staircase wall. Brendan is a master of clean lines and detailing.

We engaged Brendan also to supervise the demolition, excavation and construction phases. His supervision work was excellent.

Finally, we got Brendan to advise and assist with choices of finishes and also some furniture. We found Brendan’s knowledge of available appliances and finishes to be extensive and his taste and colour sense to be impeccable.

In 2014-15, we engaged Brendan to design and supervise further renovations which have just commenced. These involve the installation of a passenger lift and lift lobby on each level, expansion of the powder room into a bathroom and turning the right of way into a new house entrance.

We have recommended Brendan to others and are happy to provide this testimonial for any others who might be interested. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you wish to obtain verbal confirmation.

Brendan was our architect over a period of 9 months. He redesigned our upstairs kitchen/dining area, deck/outdoor room and downstairs flat (which contains a kitchen, living room & bathroom/laundry). Having lived with these renovations for about 12 months now, we can truly say we are delighted with the result. Brendan was very sensitive to our proposal and did his utmost to incorporate our thoughts and needs into his design which is both creative and practical. He has a notable ability to communicate design clearly to client, builder, engineer and tradesmen alike. This ability proved invaluable for the whole 9 months, as we encountered the many different professionals and trades people who brought this project together. We are very grateful for the work and dedication that Brendan devoted to us over this time and would have no hesitation in recommending him to any prospective clie