A mid-century classic has been sympathetically redefined for the 21^st century family.

The brief for DKO Interiors was to retain the essence of the mid-century plan whilst reprogramming it to accommodate the owner’s frenetic, family lifestyle.

The floorplan has been opened up in a zonal manner, allowing for increased solar ingress and cross ventilation, the western sun controlled through deep overhangs and slot windows. Differing ceiling and floor heights further define spaces. Plywood joinery, the concrete floor and liberal quantities of bluestone provide the texture and warmth to keep the modernistic vision alive. This limited and muted palette of honest, natural materials is used as a local reinterpretation of a typical 1950’s palette of sandstone and teak veneer.

Removing an existing wall between the kitchen and family room allows for greater flexibility and an enhanced sense of the openness provided by flat, horizontal volumes.  A black box has been added to the western façade to ameliorate western sun and to resolve the room’s proportions. This box is defined internally by a raised American oak platform and slot windows with contained views of the pool and gardens. The balcony space overlooks the pool and cabana, defined by a delicately proportioned timber and acrylic screen which mimics the existing stair screen.

The plywood book case also reflects the existing screen and together with vintage light fittings reinforces the staircase as both the entrance and centre of the house.  The kitchen is a joinery item dressed in plywood that floats through to the dining room, accentuating the horizontal nature of the space. A key feature in the kitchen is the large bluestone island accommodating cooking, storage and socializing and anchoring the space. A simple concrete floor upstairs combines all the disparate elements in a home suitable for a robust family lifestyle.

The children’s spaces have been consolidated to the lower level along with a new bathroom, laundry pavilion and cabana ensuite addition. All the bathrooms have been reconfigured in bluestone tiles and Sadler stone concrete slabs with skylights providing a feature via a strip of natural light to wash the wall. The ground level family room opens to outdoor dining and living spaces alongside the pool.

Remodeling has allowed for the introduction of sustainable principles to the design, further reinforced by the retainment of existing fittings where possible.

Although not seen as a heritage renovation, Tramway does seek to be sympathetic to its mid-century architecture whilst providing a contemporary living environment.