- Project: Lindsay House
- Architect: M E G O W A N
- Location: Australia, McKinnon, Melbourne
- Year: 2023
- Area: 266 m2
- Photography: Nils Koenning
Reinterpreting Residential Heritage
Located in McKinnon, Melbourne, the Lindsay House renovation by Megowan Architectural exemplifies how residential architecture can honor tradition while embracing modernity. Completed in 2023, the 2,863-square-foot home draws on Art Deco, Scandinavian, and Mid-century modern influences, transforming a modest brick residence into a richly layered contemporary dwelling.
The primary design objective was to establish a stronger connection between the home’s existing upper level and the lower rear yard. The solution—a sunken living room—created both a physical and visual transition, enhancing spatial depth while opening the interiors to the garden.
Design Inspirations and Influences
The project’s design language is rooted in Art Deco references, extended to the home’s rear façade to maintain cohesion between the old and the new. These cues are paired with Scandinavian simplicity and Mid-century warmth, seen in the clerestory windows, elongated skylights, light oak finishes, and exposed hardwood rafters. Together, these elements create a balanced composition of elegance, functionality, and comfort.
Materiality and Texture
Red brick, already abundant on site, provided a material and thematic foundation. Its presence informed the use of red-veined marble, cardinal-toned metalwork, and joinery details, introducing richness and continuity across spaces. These deeper hues are contrasted with light oak veneers, oiled timber rafters, and pale flooring, resulting in a balanced, textural palette.
The interplay of bold and subtle elements defines the interiors:
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Cardinal highlights: Chosen over navy as a bold thematic statement.
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Bathroom detailing: Skirting tiles, bench seating, and joinery echo traditional dado rails and moldings from the original house.
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Joinery and finishes: Carefully crafted to provide rhythm and depth across functional spaces.
A Dialogue with Clients
Having worked with the homeowners before, the architects were entrusted with pushing design boundaries. When presented with two interior accent palettes—navy and cardinal—the clients surprised the team by selecting the more daring cardinal tone, cementing the home’s unique visual identity. This collaboration enriched the renovation with a sense of continuity, trust, and bold creativity.
The Lindsay House stands as a sophisticated reinterpretation of Melbourne’s suburban fabric. By weaving Art Deco geometry, Scandinavian clarity, and Mid-century warmth into a cohesive narrative, Megowan Architectural achieved a residence that is both timeless and contemporary.
With its sensitive integration of existing and new volumes, bold use of material contrasts, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, Lindsay House reflects the firm’s ability to transform tradition into a vibrant modern lifestyle.
