Arc House
Year 2023
Location Tura Beach, NSW
Project type Renovation
Arc House saw the transformation of a family home in the small coastal town of Tura Beach, NSW, into a contemporary retreat. While the house's exterior remained untouched, the inside was harmoniously redesigned to blend artistry and functionality. The restrained, monochromatic design, featuring elegant curves, embodies an unhurried lifestyle.
Approaching the design of the interior space as a vessel to hold and nurture how we desire to live, we created a captivating and relaxed, lived-in feeling that directs awareness back to our own sense of self and being. By introducing curved walls and ceilings, we blur the boundaries of the interior spaces and evoked a sense of fluidity, creating a peaceful atmosphere that feels like ‘them’.
“Love, love love this space so much …
you’re a genius”
- Shelley
The design language of enfolding space is carried throughout the home, encapsulating a harmonious interplay between the home’s main elements. The kitchen, as a central focal point, becomes a grand sweeping gesture, visually linking the entry and living spaces, and instilling the “relaxed vibe” the clients desired.
Inspiration was drawn from the simplicity of the arc, which extends to the detailing of joinery handles and custom lighting, smoothing away edges and invoking a feeling of calm. The play of volumes within the building envelope, emphasises the expansion and contraction of space, adding to the overall sensory experience and creating the illusion that individual zones have been carved from a larger volume.
Working within the existing footprint, each space is highly practical while the signs of everyday use remain hidden. As the clients put it, “everything you need is there without you realising it”. Each space was designed with the user in mind, ensuring comfort, convenience, and a visually clean environment.
The material palette emanates romanticism with touches of bronze and mirror and the black panelling and joinery add a sense of luxurious elegance. Materials and finishes were selected for their raw qualities and durability, allowing the space to be used throughout the years without worry of damage.
Fingerprint-resistant black laminate cupboard fronts and black-stained plywood finger-pulls create a practical yet stylish environment. The leathered finish of the feature stone on the island bench, pantry and TV unit, enhances the tactile quality of the space.
The layered approach to lighting, combining ambient, task, and accent options, is highly customisable. Each spot of the track light above the kitchen bench can be individually controlled, crucial to the space's functionality.
The new layout was designed for minimal impact on the existing building with internal reconfigurations aimed at creating the least amount of waste from demolition.
