Most houses spread out. This one goes up. Built on a site sold as three parking spaces, the Small House is one of Sydney’s best-known pieces of small-site architecture. Now it’s a place you can stay.
The Small House is a five-storey, 46 m² concrete home on a quiet Surry Hills lane, designed by architect Domenic Alvaro and featured on Grand Designs Australia. It was named World House of the Year in 2011, sleeps up to 4, and has a private rooftop garden and secure parking.
At a glance
- Location
- Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
- Sleeps
- 4 guests · queen bedroom + queen sofa bed
- Bathrooms
- On the ground floor and first floor
- Standout features
- Five levels, private rooftop garden, secure garage with direct entry
- Architect
- Domenic Alvaro, completed 2011
- Best for
- Couples, design lovers, short city breaks
What makes the Small House special?
Domenic Alvaro and his partner Sue Bassett bought a block in Surry Hills that had been sold to them as three car spaces, about 6 by 7 metres. Rather than squeeze a house onto it, Alvaro stacked one. The walls are large precast concrete panels, which do the structural work and shape each room at the same time. Big plate-glass windows and floating kitchen and storage units stop a 46 m² footprint from feeling small.
Rather than squeeze a house onto it, Alvaro stacked one.
The design took 12 months and the build took 6. In 2011 it won World House of the Year at the World Architecture Festival, along with the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Award for Small Project Architecture. It also featured in the second episode of the first series of Grand Designs Australia. The judges saw it as a model for building on tight inner-city sites.
How is the Small House laid out?
Every level has one job. Floating stairs connect them, and the house gets lighter and more open as you climb.
- RooftopPrivate garden with outdoor seating and city views
- Level 4Small lounge that opens onto the rooftop
- Level 3Fully equipped kitchen and dining
- Level 2Living room with a queen sofa bed and smart TV
- Level 1Queen bedroom and bathroom
- GroundSecure garage with direct entry, and a bathroom
You also get air conditioning, heating, a washer and dryer, a desk with wifi, and self check-in by lockbox. One honest note: there are a lot of stairs, so the house isn’t suited to guests with limited mobility.
What’s there to do near the Small House in Surry Hills?
Surry Hills is one of Sydney’s best neighbourhoods for eating out, and the Small House puts you in the middle of it. Walk out of the lane and you’re minutes from the cafés, wine bars and restaurants along Crown Street and Bourke Street. Central Station and the CBD are a short trip away, so the harbour, the beaches and the major sights are easy to reach without moving the car from the garage.
It’s a good base for a design-focused weekend. The Brett Whiteley Studio, the artist’s former warehouse home and now a free gallery, is in Surry Hills. Belvoir St Theatre is close by for an evening show. If you’re in town for a game or concert, the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium at Moore Park are on the neighbourhood’s edge.
Book your stay at the Small House
Who is the Small House best for?
The Small House suits couples first. The one queen bedroom has the first floor to itself, and the rooftop garden is made for a quiet drink above the city at the end of the day. It also works for two friends or a small family, with the queen sofa bed in the living room taking the second pair. Children and infants are welcome.
It’s an obvious pick for anyone who cares about design: architects, students and fans of Grand Designs who want to experience a house they’ve seen on screen. With a desk, wifi and a washer and dryer, it works for a longer work trip too. If stairs are a problem for anyone in your group, choose a single-level home instead by giving us a call at 0480 005 899.
Own a property in Surry Hills or inner Sydney?
You don’t need a Grand Designs house to do well with short-term rental. Inner Sydney draws guests all year, from business travellers and event crowds to weekenders. A home that’s well presented, well priced and well looked after stands out.
AirKeeper is a licensed real estate agency managing short-term rentals across Sydney, NSW, VIC, QLD and the ACT. You get a dedicated account manager, pricing across every platform and our direct booking site, and guests looked after around the clock. Our property styling and furnishing team can help a home photograph and book like this one. Find out more about AirKeeper’s Sydney short-term rental management, or see more results in our case studies.
Book a Free Property Assessment and we’ll prepare a custom appraisal of what your property could earn within 24 hours.
Book a Free Property AssessmentFrequently asked questions
Was the Small House on Grand Designs Australia?
Yes. Domenic Alvaro’s Small House featured in the second episode of the first series of Grand Designs Australia. Completed in 2011, it won World House of the Year at the World Architecture Festival and the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Award for Small Project Architecture.
How many guests does the Small House sleep?
The Small House sleeps up to 4 guests. There’s a queen bed in the first-floor bedroom and a queen sofa bed in the second-floor living room. It suits a couple best, or two couples or a small family happy to share the living space.
Is the Small House suitable for guests with limited mobility?
No. The house spreads over five storeys connected by stairs, with the bedroom, living room, kitchen and rooftop garden each on a different level. Guests with limited mobility, or anyone who would rather avoid several flights of stairs, will be more comfortable in a single-level home. AirKeeper can suggest one.
Is there parking at the Small House in Surry Hills?
Yes. There’s a secure garage on the ground floor with direct entry into the house, so you can arrive by car and unload straight inside. That’s rare in Surry Hills, where street parking is tight. Paid parking is also available nearby.
How do check-in and check-out work?
Check-in is self check-in using a secure lockbox, with one set of keys per booking. Every guest registers before arrival with photo ID and a mobile number. Check-out is 10am.
Can AirKeeper manage my property in Surry Hills?
Yes. AirKeeper is a licensed real estate agency managing short-term rentals across Sydney, NSW, VIC, QLD and the ACT. You get a dedicated account manager, pricing across every platform and our direct booking site, and a custom appraisal of what your property could earn within 24 hours.
Stay in the Small House
Five levels, a private rooftop garden and secure parking, in the heart of Surry Hills.
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