If you're a person, you probably love mid-century modern design. So you can imagine the elation these owners must have felt when they found a completely unaltered mid-century modern home in the bayside suburb renowned for the style, Beaumaris. A new addition by OMG Architects respects the original qualities of the home and ensures it will be around for many more decades to come...
"The Dearie Residence was designed in 1953 by Kevin Knight and survived six decades as an unaltered example of classic beachside modernism", explains Matt from OMG Architects. "Its original street-facing facades were restored and surrounding mature trees preserved. Two new single-storey pavilions sit inconspicuously stitched to the rear, interconnected by a central courtyard oasis." As a side note, how's that as a testimonial for good design; a house surviving unaltered for more than 60 years! While the investment may seem like a lot initially, good design stands the test of time.
"Like many similar modernist residences of the era, this house does not benefit from any statutory heritage protection and could quite easily have been lost to demolition as has been the fate of many similar buildings in the past", explains Matt. To prevent that from happening, the original owners were determined only to sell the property to a party committed to its retention. The new owners were more than willing to retain the home and invest in sensitive additions which celebrate the qualities that make these homes so special and universally adored.
The defining elements of the home were retained and restored including the existing painted black and white facades, beautiful exposed timber roof beams and internal wall linings as was the entire original hardwood floor.
The new floor plan retains the essence of the original, with modifications to the rear undertaken to rectify elements dilapidated after six decades of exposure to harsh southerly winds. Two new timber-clad boxes separated by a lush courtyard contain the main bedroom suite and kitchen, creating a modern open-plan space.
"[The] verdant central courtyard oasis acts a central lung and source of daylight within the building's core', says Matt, as well as maximising cross-flow ventilation by capturing those cooling sea breezes, meaning the home doesn't require mechanical cooling.
All of the main rooms have daylight from two sources and open onto a garden, bringing light and views into the home. The new living areas frame views of a magnificent stringy-bark tree and the new pool to bring the outdoors in at every opportunity.
Honesty of materials, leaving them in their rawest possible state, a simplicity of form and the expression of the structure continue mid-century modern principles in the new design.
From a modest '50s beach house, Dearie Residence has been transformed in a home that will comfortably accommodate the needs of a growing modern-day family, ensuring this home will endure for many decades to come. The result is comfortable and appealing family home that respects and expands upon its original design. Don Draper himself would be happy to call Dearie Residence home.
