MENA HOUSE
MENA HOUSE - A PERSONAL INTERIOR
Mena House is a heritage apartment renovation in Sydney that began in 2019 with the creation of a residential library and study - a room conceived not only for books, but for quiet reflection and daily ritual. Over the years, that single commission gradually expanded beyond the library, evolving into a carefully considered transformation of the apartment and a collaboration spanning almost a decade. This heritage apartment renovation in Sydney demonstrates how thoughtful joinery can reshape an existing home without losing its original character.
A Heritage Apartment Reimagined
Mena House carries an unusual provenance. Its name traces back to the Mena House Hotel in Cairo, which served as a hospital for Australian forces during the First World War. Acquired in the early 1930s by a returned serviceman, the apartment quietly acknowledges that history.
Occupying a generous 1920s residence, the apartment offered excellent proportions and abundant natural light, yet lacked the architectural richness its owner sought. Rather than imposing a new identity, each intervention was undertaken with restraint, allowing the home's character and that of its owner to emerge.
ESTABLISHING CHARACTER
Throughout the apartment, architectural panelling, decorative wall treatments and carefully considered joinery were introduced to provide structure and rhythm. Colour became an important design tool, creating a backdrop for an evolving collection of artwork, antiques and personal objects gathered over many years.
Rather than relying on decoration alone, the project sought to create a home that felt layered, lived-in and quietly timeless.
THE HEART OF THE HOME
Although the work eventually extended throughout the apartment, the library remains its defining space.
Designed as both study and retreat, it combines bespoke bookcases, integrated lighting, handcrafted joinery and carefully curated decoration to create a room that balances practicality with atmosphere. Rich materials, deep colours and a growing collection of books establish a sense of permanence, while the room continues to evolve alongside its owner.
CRAFTED AROUND DAILY RITUAL
Every element of the library was designed to support everyday living. Books, artwork, lighting and furniture were considered together rather than as separate pieces, allowing the room to function as both workspace and sanctuary.
It is a space equally suited to reading, writing, conversation or quiet reflection - an interior that rewards time spent within it.
ROOMS WITH INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY
As the project developed, each adjoining room was given its own distinct personality while remaining connected to the broader architectural language of the apartment. Different wallpapers, colours and collections introduce subtle shifts in atmosphere without disrupting the overall sense of cohesion.
The result is an interior that reveals itself gradually, with each room offering a different experience while remaining unmistakably part of the same home.
CONTINUING THE NARRATIVE
The design language established throughout the apartment continues into the private spaces. Rich navy cabinetry, integrated storage and carefully detailed joinery reinforce the home's architectural character while allowing the owner's art collection to remain central to each room.
These quieter spaces demonstrate that thoughtful joinery is not confined to libraries alone, but can shape the experience of an entire home.
A HOME SHAPED OVER TIME
The client, a bachelor working within the theatre and arts, has become a longstanding collaborator and dear friend.
What began as the design of a single library evolved into a deeply personal interior, shaped through trust and an ongoing exchange of ideas. Rather than reaching a final destination, Mena House continues to evolve, reflecting both its owner and the life lived within its walls.
The result is an interior that feels cultivated rather than decorated - a home whose greatest luxury is that it tells the story of the person who lives there.
EXPLORE ANOTHER PROJECT
Discover Certo Cito, a bespoke home library and study designed around craftsmanship, heritage detailing and custom cabinetry. Featuring floor-to-ceiling bookcases, handcrafted joinery and carefully considered interior architecture, the project demonstrates Groth & Sons' commitment to creating timeless and highly personal interiors.
EXPLORE THE PROJECT:
CERTO CITO: A MILITARY INSPIRED HOME