Residence L&D

This small project is a clear example of how modest, thoughtful interventions can have a substantial outcome

Located in an Art Deco building in St Kilda, this one-bedroom apartment had long been neglected and unloved. Though modest in size, the layout offered well-proportioned rooms and generous windows with outlooks to a shared entrance courtyard and rear garden

Incongruous elements accumulated over time were stripped away, and original details recovered. All walls and ceilings were painted white. Carpet was removed to reveal the existing timber floors, which were restored and finished with a natural wax. Updates to the kitchen and bathroom were approached with restraint. Fixtures and appliances remained in their original locations to avoid unnecessary cost

A calm and quiet interior now amplifies natural light and restores the apartment’s original clarity. The continuous timber floor unifies the different rooms, while reduced visual noise allows architectural details and views to take precedence

This intervention also serves as a reminder of the value inherent in the existing building stock. In the face of environmental pressures and the need for more sustainable building practices, repair and careful reuse represent not just pragmatic decisions, but responsible design strategies. As an alternative to the model of unlimited growth, this approach sees the existing urban fabric as a valuable resource - one that can be preserved and adapted for the future