This mid-century home renovation by Preston Lane Architects, is a rare example of client-led design. The homeowners purchased the property mid-project—just as their architects were designing a new house for them a few kilometres away.

Their love for mid-century architecture led them to buy and restore this home instead. It was a labour of love, with the client handling most of the renovation themselves, supported by a builder.

The brief was clear: honour the original mid-century style while updating the home for contemporary living. The renovation needed to be functional, light-filled, and budget-conscious.

Years of ad hoc modifications posed the biggest challenge. Some parts of the home were original, but others had been poorly extended. The architects focused on restoring cohesion through simple, deliberate choices. Slate flooring and crazy paving echoed the home’s original materiality.

A clerestory window was introduced to bring sunlight into the formerly dark kitchen, which had been overshadowed by a previous extension.

A key feature of the new design is a glazed roof over an internal planter. This element softens the transition between living and dining spaces, reconnecting the interior with nature—true to mid-century principles.

Outdoors, a new pavilion with an external kitchen and dining space sits beside a newly added swimming pool. The landscape design reclaims a steep block, turning it into a level, north-facing retreat ideal for entertaining. The outdoor area reflects the client’s passion for cooking and enhances the home’s liveability year-round.

This DIY mid-century renovation shows what’s possible with vision, commitment, and a deep respect for original design.

Photos by Adam Gibson