The Balmoral Beach House is an addition and renovation to an original 1920s bungalow, moments from Balmoral Beach. The house lives in constant conversation with its surroundings: the beach at the end of the street, the nature reserve opposite, and its own past as a modest interwar workers' bungalow, whose original 120m² structure still sits at the core of the home.
It has an unusual feature for the area. The house adjoins a well used public walkway, busy with locals making their way to the beach on foot. Rather than close this off, we opened to it. The garden has no fence, so we could chat with everyone passing by. This is a home I designed for my own family, so as a household of outgoing musicians and artists, we wanted our grand piano at the very centre of the home, so we could cook dinner and entertain each other at the same time.
Our response drew on place and time: locally sourced materials, and the retention of original features from the former bungalow. The exposed living spaces are wrapped in sliding timber screens. The result is unfussy and robust, open and inviting to friends and strangers alike, and a warm home well suited to a family.
