Leabrook house is a contemporary residential extension of an existing iconic heritage-listed Art Deco double brick house. It is an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space that provides a connection to the backyard which includes a new tennis court and pool. The aim was to contemporise certain elements of the existing house to ensure it retains its charm without replicating the original aesthetic.
To compliment the existing house, the art deco radius of the front façade is repeated in a plane of glass in the new extension with the two radius’ joining to form an ‘s’ which guides visitors through the living and dining area to the kitchen. In contrast with the existing house’s regimented layout, the new extension is open plan and has floor to ceiling high performance glazing which not only permits natural light but allows the client to observe their four young son’s frequent backyard merriment. The restrained colour palette of materials and minimal detailing is also in contrast with the existing house with the only visible structure being slender steel columns that allows the glass to be free from structural interference.
The property is a balancing act between the new and old with the new extension feeling like it has just emerged from the original house.

Awards
Winner, South Australian Chapter Institute Architecture, Archicentre Renovation Award, 2010

Team
Owner Builder
Connell Mott MacDonald
Sam Noonan Photography