Located just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, this elegant build in Tamarama, NSW, is beautifully detailed to create a sophisticated, functional, light-filled family home.

The Sydney-based clients approached Modscape after working alongside local architect Fox Johnston, who developed a clear design brief fit for the growing family. Key to the brief was to provide a home that matched their lifestyle through better connections between indoor and outdoor spaces and to enhance the use of natural light, encouraging improved passive heating and cooling.

Directed by the architect’s concept, Modscape refined the design while honouring the architect’s design intent. The resulting design beautifully complements the existing elements of the site, connecting the front and rear garden through the house and optimising the connection between indoor and outdoor.

Taking cues from the original dwelling, the new home works to a similar footprint and incorporates the existing sandstone plinth into the landscape design, anchoring the building to the site.

Various living spaces on the ground floor provide alternate uses for the whole family. Visual integration and surveillance are maintained between kitchen, living, dining, outdoor and detached rumpus and study, creating an inclusive living environment.

And with easy access to the beach, there’s no need for a pool. Instead, the backyard acts as an extension of the indoor living spaces, which smoothly transition into the outdoor thanks to large expanses of glass. An efficient layout upstairs comfortably sees five bedrooms and two bathrooms possessing plenty of space for adults and children alike.

Designed to capture sunlight in winter and exclude the home from heating up in summer, moveable timber battened screens also help to soften the building’s form by adding layers and texture to the façade. Highlight windows and skylights used throughout also maximise light and aid in natural cross ventilation to ensure the home is as comfortable as it is bright.

Internally, a light material palette with accents of timber contrasts the dark exterior. As soon as you walk in the front door, you’re welcomed by a generous double-height foyer featuring a staircase that mirrors the external use of timber battens. In the living room, timber clads both the wall and ceiling to help to subtly define the space and beautifully complement the oak flooring.

Opting for quality materials that will withstand heavy use from the children rather than ‘showy’ finishes ensure the design that is durable and humble yet elegant and timeless.

Project specifications

• Blackened cambia ash and Scyon Stria cladding
• Double-glazed windows and doors with timber battened screens
• Tongue n Groove European oak timber flooring (Chamoisee). Also used on wall and ceiling in living room
• American oak timber veneer to staircase with battens
• American oak solid timber to kitchen island
• Corian benchtop (Glacier White)
• Whisper White 2-pac joinery
• Signorino Bianco Carrara splashback
• Artedomus large format porcelain tiles to kitchen and bathroom (Maximum Mercury)
• Fisher & Paykel oven
• Siemens induction and gas cooktop
• Abey kitchen sink and mixer
• Astra Walker bathroom fixtures
• Kaldewei Vaio bath
• Lockwood door hardware throughout
• Daikin split systems throughout
• Speed Heat underfloor heating
• Escea frameless glass fireplace
• Motorised vergola
• Detached garage/rumpus room with dedicated study
• Louvred windows and roof exhaust to encourage cross-ventilation
• Enclosed front terrace

Photography: Franzi Photography