Paolo's Place: Architect trades bedroom for Red Gum tree views in 1960s apartment renovation

Jordan Pinto
Jun 26
4 min read

Updated: Jun 28

Some people fall in love with an elegant kitchen.

Others are swayed by spacious bedrooms or luxury bathrooms.

Not Paolo – he fell in love with a tree.

Yes, a tree.

"When I pulled into the street, I was completely blown away by the enormous red gum in the middle of the road," the architect tells Place Journal.

"At that point I didn't care about the apartment, I just wanted to live next to this tree."

Fortunately, the 1964 cream brick, two-bedroom apartment he'd come to inspect ticked all the boxes, too – a genuine mid-century space with good bones that hadn't been "fiddled with by some shonky landlord”.

After graduating university and securing a full-time job, it was the first place he looked at as a buyer – ever.

But there was no hesitation.

It felt right, and the offer was made on the spot and accepted the next day.

The day after that Paolo’s designer mind was busy reimagining the cramped layout.

Increase the size of the bedrooms? Maybe add another?

No. This one’s different.

A tree?

Not yet.

In this story, we say goodbye to a bedroom.

But hello to a more open space that suits Paolo perfectly.

“Design for you, not for the next buyer,” he says.

“The original floor plan consisted of lots of rooms and lots of doors,” Paolo continues.

“It wasn't particularly functional and made the small apartment feel even smaller and claustrophobic.

“I wanted to create a space that increased my useable floor space and amenity while maximizing views and light.

"I wanted to open things up a bit and make the most of the space.”

So he did, converting the master bedroom into the living room, effectively transforming a two-bedroom apartment into a one-bedroom space with significantly more usable area.

It wasn't just about removing walls, though.

It was about creating connections – particularly to that magnificent red gum that had first captured his imagination.

"I created an opening between two existing rooms so that when you enter the apartment you have a direct view to the tree," Paolo explains.

"The feeling of validation once I removed a wall and got my first glimpse of the view was very rewarding."

Such architectural gestures speak to Paolo's design philosophy, focused on feeling rather than just appearance.

Don’t ask Fifi how he feels, though.

Paolo’s Italian Greyhound didn’t exactly enjoy living through the renovation of this 1960s apartment.

"Now Fifi has PTSD from all the banging around," Paolo says.

"If I pull out a hammer or a drill, he goes into total meltdown."

But through all the dust and disruption, there was a grand plan.

“I had a vision that was centered around how it would feel rather than look,” he continues.

“I like furniture to have a certain weight and intention to it, which could be in its physicality or its history.

“I love finally crafted things and I like an interior to feel personal and lived in, with idiosyncrasies that reflect who a person is and how they live.

But for all the interior transformations, the most remarkable aspect of Paolo's renovation story unfolds outside his apartment walls.

When he arrived, the communal gardens resembled a neglected "dust bowl with scrappy grasses and weeds."

Most new owners would have focused solely on their personal space.

And to begin with, Paolo did, too. Very specifically.

But it was always about more than that.

He’s since planted over 100 plants – mostly native and drought-tolerant species.

Four new trees.

A community vegetable garden.

And the results transcend mere landscaping.

"The biggest change has been seeing a once isolated community of residents now spend time in the garden, take ownership of the veggie patch, and interact with each other regularly," a proud Paolo reflects.

"Our new garden has changed the whole vibe of the apartment block.”

A once disconnected building has become a genuine community.

For this architect, the process has been an opportunity to test design ideas in real time, guided by intuition rather than rigid plans.

“Everything happened organically, some prior planning but mostly on the fly,” Paolo reflects.

"I trusted my gut and it paid off.”

Now his home perfectly suits his lifestyle, displaying his vintage furniture and art collections against beautifully polished concrete floors.

Most importantly, despite no huge budget or addition, every corner reflects Paolo's design sensibilities, while maximising views of that magnificent tree that started it all.

Some people buy homes for investment potential or flashy features.

Paolo bought his for a tree.

And then transformed not just an apartment, but an entire community around it.