The initial design brief for this project was to demolish the existing 1920s Art Deco bungalow and build a new property from scratch. However, the charm of the original home won over the client and a large scale renovation was planned instead.
Working with LA based architect Scott Mitchell, construction team Gibson & Szmyd carried out extensive work to the home and gardens. The initial curves of the building were all preserved, and additional Art Deco cues from both LA and French architecture were incorporated. Extensive ground works were also carried, adding an extra floor underneath the home allowing space for a cinema room, gym, 6 car garage and another bedroom. Externally the landscaping has been kept simple with the strong architectural profile of yuccas complementing the building’s form. The front fence was removed allowing the full frontage of the house to be displayed from the street. Sesame cobblestones cover the driveway and front entrance to the home as well as the side passage down to the basement car park.
The rear of the property was completely redesigned. An existing annex was demolished and a structured garden and entertaining area created instead. Working with several different subtle levels the garden creates multiple spaces. There’s a terraced concourse for outdoor dining which continues to run the width of the property to become a pool lounging area leading to a raised spa. An adjacent lowered sand pit area is perfect for relaxing on the outdoor Watego sofa. A new pool was built at the end of the garden, cleverly disguised behind an Alpine dry stone retaining wall, the pool drop creates an extra level of depth to the outside space.
