A modern reinvention of a 1930’s Art Deco Building

Set within a 1930’s Art Deco apartment overlooking the Manly foreshore, The Esplanade – A Place to Pause reimagines the home as a calm, adaptable space shaped by restraint, continuity, and quiet functionality. Designed as the Architect Kirrili Zimmer’s own residence, the project reflects a thoughtful balance between contemporary living and the enduring character of the original building.

The brief sought to create spaces that felt both casual & composed, curated to suit varying demographics to maximise longevity & property value. Working within the existing footprint, the design responds to the apartment’s generous ceiling heights and retained Art Deco detailing. Integration becomes a key design tool maximising storage while allowing material continuity to enhance the perception of space.

The spaces and crafted joinery throughout are organised as a sequence of integrated elements. Appliances are concealed within custom joinery, enabling the interiors to flow continuously throughout the space. A recessed bar, complete with an integrated bar fridge, echos the 1930s Art Deco cocktail bar. Subtly carved into the circulation spine, the bar creates a moment of pause between rooms and extends the kitchen’s role beyond utility into daily ritual.

Material selection is deliberately refined. Grain-matched American oak veneer introduces warmth and tactility, grounding the space and referencing its coastal context. Original glass detailing is retained and celebrated, reinforcing an ongoing dialogue between old and new.

Natural light is employed as a primary design tool, softening transitions between spaces. The result is a quiet minimalism that acknowledges the past while looking forward, creating a calm, curated environment that supports daily life and allows the architecture to endure.