A home designed in 1957 by renowned architect Harry Seidler is given a respectful modern uplift to create a modish family home. The existing dwelling was modest, a universal house design like other project homes that were prevalent in the 1950s and ’60s. It was made up of three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a single-car garage. Homeowners Tiffany and Lorenz could see its potential when other buyers could not. “It was important to preserve the home as much as possible while improving its functionality and adding a new wing for space,” they say.
Post renovation, it now has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, two living spaces, a two-car garage and a pool. The heritage overlay meant the style of the facade had to remain. “This posed a slight challenge for us,” explain Tiffany and Lorenz, “but ultimately we were approved for a two-car garage which was the linchpin for the new wing as it is obscured from the street.”
The new elements in the home are sympathetic to the Modernism era, improving the property’s functionality and adding another layer of history to the story of this architecturally designed residence. Materials were restored and refurbished where possible. Tiffany and Lorenz say where they have been updated, new materials were chosen to reference the original. “For example, the main bathroom flooring was sourced to refer to the original mosaic tiles, while giving it a modern twist,” they comment. The original stainless-steel kitchen sink and porcelain laundry tub were refurbished and reinstalled.
There are so many inspired refurbishments that showcase ways to extend longevity of materials. The rumpus room floor is constructed from the timber from the original living room. Even the joinery in the old master bedroom has been given a new lease on life and is now the TV unit.
The house has a bold palette of primary colours; the new wing is distinguished from the old by the introduction of secondary colours, green and purple.
There is much to love in this family home. When asked the tricky question of which was the favourite part of the renovation, the couple were torn. “The rumpus room with its high ceilings — it’s filled with natural light and has a leafy outlook,” they say. “The dining room (the original breezeway) is a close second — it has an alfresco feel with the 9m skylight that functions both to allow in natural light and to mark out where old meets new.”
We think the whole project is a class act.
Photography: Sally Griffiths
