“The McNamara House is a new addition to a heritage Federation-era home in Malvern East. Sitting discreetly behind the original, the new pavilion is at once subservient and subversive to the existing building. Where the new is contemporary and welcoming, the old is formal and stately. Through the contrast between the grandeur of the old and the pared-back elegance of the new, a sense of order and refinement is created.”

When good design is subservient design. Adjunct as opposed to distraction. It’s not always about the “Look at me” upstart. Sometimes it’s about turning the expected on its head, about simple being disruptive. By Tom Roberston Architects.