Palm Beach House project is the transformation of an existing waterfront holiday villa in Palm Beach, Sydney. The plan, curated by multidisciplinary design practice Alexander&Co, is a restrained approach to a traditional European vernacular, exploring bespoke quality detailing, materiality and architectural framing. The primary goal of the architects was to explore the better way for reintroducing a higher quality of spatial resolution. Thus, the plans and volumes were subsequently rationalized around better circulation, view corridors and access to the water with an emphasis placed on architectural framing and the suitable transition from interior to exterior.
The garden was refined, designed with proportion in mind in order to achieve a sense of privacy as well as maximize use of amenities. The large-scale opening explored opportunity for external living and dining, an integral aspect to the client brief addressing the need for entertaining spaces, essential for a ‘home away from home’.
The house is focused upon the ‘handmade’: fittings, finishes, lighting and claddings all express an artisan reference point. The paired back interiors, subdued palette and handmade quality creates now a ‘lived in’ atmosphere.
The dwelling, pushed back from the water’s edge, presented challenges for the project’s team, due to this lack of physical connection that was evident in neighbouring properties. The core idea focused on neutralizing the exterior in a way that fits in with the landscape to avoid detracting from the beauty of the surrounding context. A contemporary and minimalist approach for the garden allowed for the view to become the main focus.
Through the exploration, the architects were successful at creating an open space that spills out onto the outdoor garden allows for this connection between the building and waterfront.
Subsequent thresholds and vistas between the inside, the balconies/courtyard and the exterior provided the ability to open up out onto the garden area in such a way as to assist the need for flexibility.
With the focus on bespoke, well-refined design details, a high level of craftsmanship was required to complement the refined interiors.
The sober colors combine perfectly with the two main precious materials, marble and wood on wall and flooring but also on furnishings, constantly associated and alternated to form an important thread in the entire house.
*Credits:
Project Name: Palm Beach House
Location: Palm Beach – Sydney, Australia
Principal Architect: Jeremy Bull & Charlene Cong
Design Team: Jaime Bligh, Georgia Spence, Amber Gallen, Sophie Harris
Date of Completion: December 2016
Property m2: 537
Interiors m2: Ground Floor = 180m2; First Floor = 130m2
Contractor: Lovett Custom Homes
Photographer: Felix Forest
Stylist: Claire Delmar