In a top-floor apartment on Elizabeth Bay Road, Billy Maynard Architects has achieved a balance between precision and romance, restoring the space to its former glory while introducing modern elements. The apartment, part of the 1938 Ulverstone waterfront block, had been altered in the 1980s, with its foursquare living plan sliced into two linear rooms.
The original bedrooms, hallway, and bathroom retained their generous proportions, but the living area needed correction. Billy Maynard Architects undertook the task, and the result goes beyond mere correction, striking a fine balance between preservation and innovation.
Entry and service areas have retained their scale, with spotted gum plywood walls, custom sand-cast brass handles, and ample storage. The living area now features a new skylight, its triangular geometry dictated by the existing brick piers, allowing northern light to flood the space.
Steel beams have been sleeved into the structure, and new windows sit within the original deco alignments, improving thermal performance. The materials list is intentionally humble, featuring sanded stainless steel, stained glass, restored tallowwood floors, plywood, and paint.
The design draws inspiration from northern Italian interwar apartments, where machined metal and domestic softness coexist without apology. The steel in this apartment serves a similar purpose, catching light, water, and timber without making a feature of itself.
The curtain commissions by artist Lauren Brincat introduce a touch of romance, running through the apartment and creating a tension that adds depth to the space. This contrast between calibrated metal and joinery, and the softness of cloth, makes the apartment feel personal rather than merely well-resolved.
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They have demonstrated that restraint, when calibrated to this degree, is far harder to achieve and considerably more sophisticated. Every decision, from the angle of the skylight to the weight of a brass handle, has been made with careful consideration.
The result is a rigorous and quiet space that respects its Art Deco heritage while feeling thoroughly contemporary. It is a space where balance and restraint in design are key.
By knowing when to stop and allowing each element to serve its purpose, Billy Maynard Architects has created a home that is both beautiful and functional. The apartment’s design is a careful combination of light, craft, and understatement.
Balance is essential.
In the end, the subtle balance between precision and romance makes this apartment truly special. The apartment is a great example of how balance and restraint can create a beautiful and functional home. The design approach used by Billy Maynard Architects is a great way to achieve this balance, and it has resulted in a space that is both modern and respectful of its heritage.
