What was the brief?

• A sophisticated family beach house immersed in its unique location
• Preserve and maximise internal floor space, ensuring wide thoroughfares essential to function and a sense of spaciousness necessary to support relaxed living for a large family 
• Distinguish old from new whilst maintaining cohesion 
• Create a sanctuary that fosters intimacy within an expansive volume 
• Mimic the tranquil tactility of the surrounding coastal environs

What were the key challenges?

The greatest success arises from the sophisticated layout that intentionally supports flexibility and imbues an immediate sense of relaxation. This is achieved in a relatively compact space of 2.2m x 1.8m, this compact space with a northern wall of windows accommodates a double vanity, storage, bath and generous shower area.

Toilet pan, cisterns and towel rails are kept hidden from view whilst privacy is afforded to bathing and showering though the use of the wall placed behind the mid section of the room, at the same time providing a function shower screen.

An overall effect of open spaciousness is created by keeping the wall open on the southern side allowing for a continuation of wall tiles and an essential shaft of light washes through to the foreground preventing the space from feeling shortened or cut in half. Instead the bathroom feels spacious, luxurious and completely immersive, whilst still functional.

What materials did you choose and why?

A strict monochromatic finishes palette of whites, subtly tinted with cool grey undertones retains visual space whilst achieving calming, crisp cohesion. Subtle changes in tone, texture and patina applied to surfaces and to volumes in a calculated sequence enhance detail and impart depth and suppleness.

This strict monochromatic palette with its organic gentle patterning extends throughout. Cohesion and visual interest is achieved through the repetition of linear tile patterns and clever layering of larger volumes within the modest spaces.