Tobias Partners Architects create modern beach house

exterior view of a residential shoreside concrete clad home on the rocky shores of bondi beach

Taking inspiration from the waterside dwellings of the islands of Veneto in Italy, Tobias Partners Architects were tasked with the encapsulating the Venetian vibe in a shoreside concrete clad home on Bondi Beach

(Image credit: press)

By Sara Sturges

last updated 8 October 2022

in Features

Inspired by the urban waterside dwellings of the islands of Veneto in Italy, Paddington-based Tobias Partners Architects were tasked with the challenge to encapsulate the Venetian vibe in this concrete-clad modern beach house overlooking Bondi Beach in Australia.

After living in a classic Neo-Georgian home for the past 25 years, the clients, a couple in their 60s, were looking for a new and contemporary home; one, which allowed them to have groups of friends and family over, while also playing host to their extensive collection of treasured possessions, acquired during their lifetime of travels.

Their new home, which is perched on the rocky shores of Bondi, sits in harmony with its surroundings, but also keeps the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area from entering the home. ‘The clients wanted to embrace that, but they didn’t want a beach house specifically. Knowing that Bondi is busy, vibrant and urban, they wanted an interior that was quiet and zen-like, that would be calming’, says Nick Tobias, lead architect on the project and founder of Tobias Partners.

An interactive floor plan showing the ground level of a residential home — Take an interactive tour of Deephouse, Australia

The minimalist interior leaves nowhere to hide when it comes to details and finishes, so the architects ensured everything was made using the best, expert craftsmanship; high quality joinery exists alongside bespoke cabinetry, hand made bricks, and custom made window frames and doors. Each of the home’s five spacious floors are treated uniquely. The bedrooms are deliberately compressed in height for a more intimate atmosphere, but are more sparsely furnished. This is in direct contrast to the more public living area - placed closest to the shore - which is ‘richly decorated’ and intended to be warm, homely and inviting.

Taking the client's considerations in mind, the house can be ingeniously divided into two separate apartments. Each one has its own defined entrance allowed by the addition of a ‘timber-batten’ folding screen in the main entrance. The open-tread staircase, which runs through the property, enhances the flow of light and air highlighted by the serene material palette, which creates a seamless transition throughout the different rooms of this warm and comforting seaside home.

An exterior view of a white residential building with stacked wooden crate design — The clients - a couple in their 60’s - requested a contemporary multifunctional home, one which allowed for friends and family to visit with ease

A grey residential property perched on the rocky shores of Bondi beach with a woman walking past the front of the building through water. — The newly constructed property, perched on the rocky shores of Bondi Beach was designed to keep the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area from entering within the property. Requesting a ’zen-like’ interior which would be calming and serene

Interior view of a residential home, showing a seating area with a balcony and a view of the beach and landscape — The home’s minimalist interior highlights the properties intricate details and finishes. High quality craftsmanship is utilized throughout the property; custom joinery, bespoke cabinetry, hand made bricks and custom made doors and windows all come together to give the home its warm and comforting environment

Kitchen in a residential home, with oak wood cabinets/cupboard, white ceiling and grey vinyl flooring. The kithcen has an island with a dining attached to it with 5 colourful chairs — Each of the home’s public areas are treated uniquely, the private areas are sparse and enclosed, creating a calm privacy. The public areas open, with a higher ceiling height, also being ’richly furnished’ consequently creating a warm and homely space for its inhabitants

A kitchen in a residential home with wooden floor and white ceiling with hanging ceiling lighting. On the left is an island with 3 high chairs that features a book shelf and a sink. On the right is a long dining table with 6 dining chairs. The kitchen has a balcony with a view of the beach and landscape — Carefully placed balconies and screens provide privacy and much needed protection from the elements, also adding a platform to observe the spanning views across Bondi’s ’crescent shaped’ bay

A landing in a residential home, featuring wooden floors, white ceilings and wooden design wall. with 2 tribal artwork on display on the floor — The interior is enriched with the owners’ collection of favourite possessions, consisting of family heirlooms, artwork and diverse pieces of furniture

A room in a residential home with a double bed (with wooden frame, white sheets and pillows), book shelf, a floor to ceiling window with a view of the beach — The home’s bedrooms have a lower ceiling height than the public areas of the property, the intention was to initiate a cosy and privatised atmosphere

A red ladder placed by a red filled floor to ceilingbook shelf. Floor to ceiling glas window. Round glass table — The ’constant’ material palette used assures that the indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly throughout the property

An image with multiple high rise residential buildings by the rocky shores. One of the building has grafitti. — The floors are divided into a classical style vertical and horizontal grid, this allows for rooms and balconies to be recessed or projected from the structure, adapting to their required location, function and desired outlook

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Tobias Partners website

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