MASTERPIECE: Renovation/Extension $450,000 to $1 Million

Renovation/Extension $450,000 to $1 Million

Drewaire Constructions and The Mill Design and Architecture

‘Old Canberra Reimagined’ is a heritage renovation designed to preserve and enhance the original features of 3 Wilmot Crescent in Forrest, designed in 1936 by Malcolm Moir and Heather Sutherland. An early example of interwar functionalist style, the home required careful restoration. In the judges’ words: ‘a great example of a good working relationship between builder and architect’, where The Mill provided the architecture and interior design, while Drewaire provided the building expertise. The front entry vestibule, staircase, and entire upper floor was transformed into a refined parents’ retreat, featuring a bedroom, dressing room, spacious ensuite, sitting area with an upper-floor terrace, and a home office. Windows were carefully repaired or replaced to ensure the integrity of the home’s heritage façade. The redesign also involved the removal of several load-bearing walls, allowing for a contemporary reinterpretation of the upper floor layout. By thoughtfully blending restoration with innovation, ‘Old Canberra Reimagined’ ensures this historic home continues to stand as a testament to Canberra’s architectural legacy.