Tag Archives: Home Restorations

Architecture, Home Design, Homes, Tours, Videos

Mid-Century Modern: A Home Tour In Los Angeles

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The Local Project (December 12, 2023) – In this considered restoration of a quintessential Los Angeles midcentury modern house, Woods + Dangaran designs a geometrically striking home that moves into the 21st century while acknowledging its past.

Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to the Midcentury Modern House 00:36 – The History and Restoration of the Property 01:16 – A Walkthrough of the House 03:52 – The Era-Specific Material Palette 04:51 – A Powerful Outdoor Connection 05:52 – The Balance of Natural Light and Materials 06:18 – A Responsibility of Restoration

“We instantly felt we could improve it but that we could also preserve it,” says Brett Woods, Founding Partner at Woods + Dangaran. Located just west of Beverly Hills, the home is a refreshing departure from the contemporary mansions that line the streets. “Unlike many homes in Los Angeles, it had this courtyard leading up to the entry and the classic hallmarks of a great example of modernist architecture” says Brett.

A courtyard leading up to the entrance acts like a decompression zone before one reaches the front door. Upon entering, an intimate, dark and moody den awaits. There is a formal sitting area to the right that is more bright and complete with warm-coloured furniture and retro décor. The dining room has been relocated to be in close proximity to the kitchen, which enables an outdoor connection to the terrace. The interior design of this culinary space also captures a wealth of natural light and features generous proportions.

Architecture, Home Design, Homes, Tours, Videos, Views

Architecture: Tour Of Garden House, Melbourne

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The Local Project (August 8, 2023) – An inspiring renovation of an existing housing estate – The Secret Garden House that is Mount Eagle Estate – has since retained its relevance to influence a recent renovation by Zen Architects of one of the estate’s original homes, a secret Garden House.

Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to the Secret Garden House 00:42 – The Original House 01:04 – The Project Brief for the Home 01:30 – The Material Palette 02:00 – A Walkthrough of the Secret Garden House 02:55 – The Kitchen 03:38 – Enhancing the Existing Garden and Landscape 04:30 – Favourite Aspects of the House

Zen Architects enhances the existing natural landscape and ties the garden back into the home. The midcentury architecture of the secret Garden House had been subjected to minimal changes over the years. Referencing the estate’s design and teardrop shape of the community gardens that once populated it, Zen Architects reflected the curved topographical gestures and fluidity with a desire to subdue the house and make the landscape the hero. Light now enters the house at every opportunity, as do views of the garden beyond.

At the front, the secret Garden House is largely in its original form, although updates have been made through furniture and by optimising thermal comfort – insulating floors and ceilings, and fitting seals and flyscreens to windows. The result is a fully electric home that captures the spirit and beauty of its original 1930s form and exceeds the contemporary 6-star home energy rating.

Upon entry, one is immediately greeted with a panoramic view of the garden beyond – Zen Architects retains the original façade and the front three rooms to provide an unassuming entry that heightens the impact of the interventions beyond. Moving into the extension of the secret Garden House, elements of the landscape – including rock forms, native vegetation and gum trees – inform the natural and organic material palette of the home.

Architecture, Home Design, Homes, Tours, Videos, Views

Home Restorations: Tour Of Iririki House In Sydney

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The Local Project (August 4, 2023) – Tasked with tackling the restoration of a house, Madeline Blanchfield Architects sought to turn Iririki House – which was originally built in 1906 – into a spacious home for a family of seven. With a focus on retaining and restoring the house to its former glory, the team created big open living spaces designed for the family to connect.

Video timeline: 00:00 – History Of The Original Home 00:29 – Introduction To The Project 01:12 – The Restoration Process 01:50 – A Walk Through Of The House 02:44 – Drawing On Red Bricks 03:05 – Features Of The Kitchen and Dining Room 04:00 – Distinctions Between Flooring 04:23 – Final Reflections On The House

With close proximity to the eastern beaches and Sydney city, Iririki House is a restoration of a house that begins from the newly restored front fence and garden to the additions at the rear. Moved to the side of the home, the front door placement allows the family and guests to walk through the restored garden and pass the existing heritage house before entering into the new additions.

Focused on establishing a delineation between old and new, Madeline Blanchfield Architects integrates subtle architecture and design techniques as well as modern furniture. Through the process of restoration, Madeline Blanchfield Architects made sure that all design choices stay respectful to the home’s original character but also reflect a contemporary occupation.

Furthermore, with terrazzo used for flooring on the main level, the house offers an ease of movement from inside to out, and the timber employed throughout differs to that of the original flooring to highlight the difference between spaces.

Architecture, Home Design, Homes, Travel, Videos

Top Restorations: Church To Stunning Home-Studio In Basque Spain (Video)

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When Tas Careaga first saw his 16th-century church it was advertised for sale as a “land plot with build-in ruins”. Abandoned for decades – the town has 6 other churches for a population of 2000 – it was being sold by the local bishopric for very little, but the new owner was required to rebuild it.

Careaga and friends spent 3 months just clearing the structure of debris before starting work to turn the relic into a home. With help from his architect friend Carlos Garmendia, Careaga preserved the open-feeling of the space by adding only one wall (for a bathroom on the 2nd floor). The cupola now houses a very high-ceilinged kitchen with art gallery walls. Most of the church celebrates the 10-meter (30-foot) ceilings created 5 centuries ago. In about a quarter of the space,

Careaga built a wooden frame to house two open-air floors for a 2nd-floor bedroom and 3rd-floor office. Instead of walls or banisters, the first floor relies on just three thin metal cables for the protection of occupants. The home is deeply personal, filled with furniture from Careaga’s family, religious art from his grandmother, and idiosyncrasies like a slackline to cross the thirty-foot-drop between the office and a secret bedroom above the cupola.

Careaga spent 3 years converting the church to his home with mostly his own labor and help from friends. He continues to add new touches, like converting the bell tower into a reading nook and bunk room for guests.

Carlos Garmendia (architect): https://www.garmendiacordero.com/ Tas Careaga’s projects: http://tascareaga.com/ Tas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tascareaga/ On *faircompanies: https://faircompanies.com/videos/anci…