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APRIL 26 , 2024 COASTALREALESTATEGUIDE . COM
PRESERVING THE PAST
An Aubrey St . Clair home gets a refresh while maintaining historical features and adding an ADU in the same style .
By CLARA BEARD / PHOTOS BY BEN ELLER / STORY COURTESY OF LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE
When Oligino Laux Construction took on a historic home remodel on Crescent Bay Drive , the team went to great lengths to re-create unique architectural features in the trusses , millwork and moldings , which they duplicated in an accessory dwelling unit that the company added in the back — a nearreplica of the original home ’ s design .
Although the renovation was completed last year , the abode was originally designed by prominent Laguna Beach architect Aubrey St . Clair . The prolific architect designed Laguna Beach City Hall , the water district building , the Isch building — where The Greeter ’ s Corner Restaurant operates — the Bette Davis house and several other waterfront homes and buildings in town . Al Oligino and Michael Laux hope their accomplishment with the project can help set the standard for Laguna ’ s historic homeowners who also wish to build ADUs . Construction of the remodel and ADU started in July 2021 and was finished in early 2023 .
“ When they hired us to do the remodel , we fixed up the main house ,” Oligino says . “ And then [ owner ] Brad Engelland wanted us to make the ADU look like it was built at the same time as the house . With a house built in the ’ 30s , there will be some deficiencies and surprises . But building the ADU
The remodeled historic house , originally designed by the late architect Aubrey St . Clair , with many re-created architectural features
THE PAST , PAGE 14