he owners of this beachside Bondi apartment are fortunate indeed as their primary residence is also in a coastal location on Sydney’s northern beaches. Keen to have a crash pad in the eastern suburbs closer to their work they were delighted when this penthouse came on the market. Currently working on other projects with architect Kelvin Ho, founding director of Akin Atelier, they immediately sought his expertise on a makeover The clients came to us with a really great site: a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse apartment in an original Bondi apartment block overlooking arguably one of the world’s most famous beaches. As there is no outdoor space, the brief called for the apartment to feel really open and unpretentious – a tranquil oasis above the bustle of Bondi. The original layout was complex and disjointed and there was a disconnect between the key living spaces which we had to resolve to allow light and views into almost every room. We stripped the space back to an empty shell and devised an entirely new floor plan. The new design has a series of rooms pinwheeling off the central kitchen with the lounge, dining and master bedroom all enjoying the incredible views. The strategy was to have an open flow between all the rooms – the kitchen, dining and living are essentially one volume. As the bathrooms are in the darker part of the apartment, we introduced skylights to draw in the light. To create a sense of being outside even when you’re not, we devised a materials palette that focuses on textures with a rough, worn, outdoor feel. For this project – and most homes with such an outlook – a key design consideration is creating access to the view and light from as many points as possible. From a functional perspective, the materials need to be hard-wearing and low maintenance, and suitable for sandy feet and salty air, but this shouldn’t lower the overall calibre of the space. Simplicity in materials was pivotal in creating a neutral backdrop to the ever-present and constantly changing view. We wanted to express a relaxed and casual mood so the space felt easy to live in, particularly as the overall footprint is small. For consistency we used large-format Calcetta limestone tiles – an outdoor paver that has been tumbled to look and feel 100 years old. This hard flooring is softened with vintage rugs. Hand-trowelled micro-cement was used in the kitchen and living areas to lend a handmade, artisanal feel to otherwise refined architectural elements such as the rangehood and the fireplace plinth. The penthouse is a light-filled beachside residence addressing composition and tactility with a minimalist point of view. Materiality and the colour palette address the environmental context of the space. The colours balance the beach views in a warm and lived-in way. Although the project is coastal, it is Bondi and there is an unmistakably kinetic energy to it, so we deliberately kept the palette very calming and tranquil. We wanted it to feel like a beach pad but with a few bona-fide design pieces. And we aimed to further that feeling of a nuanced and worn-in space by balancing the new with the old, sourcing vintage rugs and furniture for some areas. While every surface is brand new we didn’t want the home to impart that mood so we’ve chosen materials, finishes and furniture that suggest a worn, handmade feel. We’ve avoided hard edges where we can, subtly rounding off ends and corners, playing into that softened, aged look. We also specified patinated finishes for hardware such as tapware, handles and drawer pulls. Yes, very happy. They use the apartment as a mid-week stay and occasionally on weekends.
