Old Meets New

Preserving Our Built Heritage Matters.

Cities are living, breathing stories, and their architecture is the pages on which these stories are written. Maintaining existing buildings isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about honouring the layers of history that shape a place’s character and identity.

On my recent trip to Perth, Western Australia, I was reminded of how beautifully an older building can be preserved and integrated into a contemporary urban fabric. Many of my photographs show elegant heritage façades standing proudly at the base of sleek glass towers, proof that old and new can coexist in a way that respects the past while embracing the future. These projects not only look striking but also tell a richer story of place and time than any brand-new build ever could on its own.

This respect for existing architecture applies just as strongly to residential buildings. For example, when we renovated our own very old and tired property on the Central Coast of NSW, we were committed to celebrating its original good bones while introducing modern comforts and sustainable solutions. The prevalent advice was to pull the whole house down and start again (which would also have costed us three times as much the amount we spent :) by I had different plan for this solid property.

If you’d like to see how this home grew from Ugly Duckling to Beautiful Swan, our online video series is still available on YouTube, free to watch for anyone who loves homes and renovations. It’s a detailed look behind the scenes at how an interior designer approaches a renovation, from big-picture planning to the smallest material selections.

Is Your Property a Candidate for Renovation or Rebuilding?

If you’re wondering whether to renovate or start fresh, here are a few pointers to help you weigh up your options:

• Structural Soundness - If your home has significant structural damage - like severe foundation issues, extensive termite damage or dangerous subsidence - rebuilding may be the safer path. A qualified structural engineer can help you assess this.

• Heritage Protections - Some older properties are heritage-listed or located in conservation areas, limiting what you can demolish or alter. Always check with your local council before making plans.

• Layout Potential - Consider whether your existing floorplan can be adapted to your lifestyle. Sometimes, creative reconfiguring delivers fantastic results without knocking down walls unnecessarily.

• Budget and Timeframe - Renovations can be more budget-friendly if you can retain core elements like the walls and roof structure. However, rebuilding can be faster and more predictable in cost if the old house requires extensive work.

• Emotional Connection - This one is less about dollars and more about heart. Many people feel a deep attachment to their home’s history and character, making preservation especially rewarding.

Finally, whether you’re travelling locally or internationally, I encourage you to always look around and take note of how each community weaves its built history into the present. It’s a wonderful reminder that good design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by culture, context, and respect for what came before, a source of continuous inspiration for anyone who loves to build, create, and care for our homes and cities.

James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information. Learn more from James' knowledge via his FREE online shows James Bought A House (a renovation) and James Bought A Guest House (a brand new build).