On a steep and narrow site overlooking Sydney’s Whale Beach, have built a multi-storey, home from the ground up, with each level denoting a different facet of family life.
A couple with adult children and young grandchildren commissioned Sydney-based architecture and interior design practice Studio Johnston to realise their long-term aspiration of an all-accommodating ‘family HQ’. The home is pinned to a steep, south-facing site on Sydney’s Northern Beaches Peninsula, anchored by the bushland as it frames uninterrupted .
The living space features the , , and the Damian Williamson Konami 3-seat sofa. The shelves contain sculptures by and Planet Furniture, along with the .
With their growing family, the clients wanted the opportunity to bring everyone together under one roof without feeling like they were on top of each other. Ironically, the solution was to literally layer the different streams of family life on top of one another. On the first tier, there are the guest bedrooms, bathrooms and kids’ play area; on the second, there’s the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor entertaining area (including an elevated pool and spa); and on the third, there’s the master bedroom and ensuite, study and private outdoor terrace. The result is a home where the clients can feel comfortable with any number of guests in the house, whether that’s just the two of them or the whole family.
“Given the site’s tectonics, we had to work the plan rigorously to make the outdoor connections viable,” Studio Johnston director Conrad Johnston says. The lofty structure hugs the hillside, with easy passage to the beach and a sophisticated approach to the coastal climate. Provisions are in place to mitigate hostile southerly winds, operable windows and doors deliver natural cross-ventilation, and solar access remains a key consideration throughout. Structurally, the broad outdoor terrace on the second level called for shifting geometries across the first and third levels and a strong foundation on the ground level (where the garage is located).
Pictured: the and McKenzie dining chairs, and . A three-metre triptych of impasto oils by artist and Studio Johnston architect Stefania Reynolds hangs on the wall.
The living room faces both beach and terrace, opening the home to the landscape. Artwork by Lydia Miller.
This project entailed a complete interior fit-out (also led by Studio Johnston), with the brief citing a “calming space with splashes of colour” to accompany the client’s architectural vision. The home’s material palette does not fall far from its imperturbable surroundings; aged brass, pistachio green tiles, silver and white marble, light oak and pale grey limestone. Pops of colour – mustard yellow, marine blue, kelp green and cherry red – offer brief but necessary moments of intensity.
Whale Beach House is destined to become the site of many family milestones, memories, and endless summers by the sea.
The kitchen features and , and appliances, set in a calming palette of Dolomite marble, American oak, aged brass and grey limestone.
Artwork by Nanda Hobbs
One side of the stairwell is painted soft mint green, while the other is painted a deep kelp green, creating subtle colour transitions.
Pictured: the Sweeny chair and Bandy stool.
Built-in shelving, consoles and cabinets are designed to streamline the interiors. Artwork by Stefania Reynolds; Roy wall light; custom bedhead by Studio Johnston; sculptures and ceramics from Humble Matters, Dinosaur Designs, Dion Horstmans and Greg Natale.
Dolomite marble brightens the bathroom space, which feels carved into the steep site. The aged-brass mixer and spouts (both wall-mounted and floor-mounted) are part of Yokato range; the wall sconce is the ; the freestanding bath is .
The aged-brass shower and towel rail are part of Yokato range. The floor tiles are sourced from and the wall tiles are sourced .
The aged-brass mixer and spout and towel rail are part of Yokato range; the wall sconce is the .
“Mint Ice” shade marble contrasts with petite Dinosaur Designs marble sculptures. The vanity stool is the Ester Ottoman.
The broad outdoor terrace contains a pool, spa, dining area, built-in barbecue, and operable canvas sun shades. The outdoor dining setting features the and .
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