Revamping a home while honouring its original charm is no small feat, and the Lindsay project exemplifies this balance beautifully. Megowan Architectural aimed to create a seamless flow between the front and rear of the house, inspired by the beautiful Art Deco style of the original home. The result is a modern addition full of character that expertly connects old and new…
One of the project’s standout features is the sunken living room, designed to enhance the flow between the indoors and the outdoors on the gently sloping site. The added benefit of the sunken living area is that it gives the space additional volume as the ceiling maintains the same height, giving this space its own unique character and sense of space. The clinker bricks of the original home are brought into the sunken living space as a multifunctional plinth that can be used for seating as well as decor, and also becomes the hearth of a fireplace. Also using bricks as the floor surface in the sunken lounge continuing out onto the patio creates a seamless transition between inside and outside. Large sliding glass doors open onto the outdoor area, further blurring the lines between inside and outside, making the garden an integral part of daily living.
Drawing from the existing red brickwork, the architect introduced red-veined marble, cardinal red metalwork, and intricate joinery throughout the home. These rich textures and bold colours are beautifully contrasted with light oak veneers, exposed timber rafters, and oiled hardwood floors, achieving a balance that feels both luxurious and welcoming.
A striking skylight floods the centre of the living area with natural light, creating a bright and airy ambiance. This, along with clerestory windows, ensures that even the deepest parts of the home are bathed in light. Along with the sliding doors, the home feels effortlessly connected to the outdoors and follows the rhythms of the day. The curved pergola, echoing the original Art Deco curves, adds a touch of drama, and continuity to the design, tying the original and new spaces together, while also bridging indoors and outdoors.
The architects worked closely with their clients, who were actually repeat clients. Presented with navy and cardinal red colour options, which tied into the original clinker bricks, the clients left the architect in shock (and delight) by being bold and going with the cardinal. The touches of red throughout the home add a vibrant touch that significantly impacts the home’s interiors.
Subtle details throughout reference the original home, “datums are created in the bathrooms in the form of skirting tiles, bench seating and joinery which behave in the same way as the dado rails and mouldings that were in the front of the original house”, explains the architect. These thoughtful touches respect the home’s heritage while introducing modern style.
Lindsay stands as a testament to thoughtful design and the harmonious blending of old and new. It’s a space that respects its Art Deco roots while embracing contemporary influences, resulting in a home that’s both elegant and functional. Whether it’s the seamless indoor-outdoor transition and celebration of natural light, the bold use of colour, or the intricate details, every aspect of this renovation reflects Megowan Architectural’s meticulous and inspired approach to modern living. This is how homes should be renovated and extended, with reverence to the existing style, but reinterpreted for modern life and style.
