Dual Purpose – Bilgola Residence by Hugh-Jones Mackintosh and Walter Barda Design

With the future in mind, Bilgola Residence is reimagined as a modern residence that both responds to the coastal surrounds and embeds the comforts of urban life. Hugh Jones Mackintosh and Walter Barda Design combine to create a house that works both as an occasional home and an eventual main dwelling.

Looking out over the ocean, Bilgola Residence is positioned to align with long views out toward the horizon, firmly planting the home within its context. Drawing from the more familiar coastal cues, the residence is breathed a new life through a focus on lightness and an open sensibility. Passively cooled and ventilated, the structure opens to allow a full sensory immersion, calming inhabitants through an engagement of sounds, sights and smells of the natural elements. Bringing the casual ease of being at the coast into the experience of the home, a palette of timber weatherboard panels wraps the exterior to ensure an appropriateness within the existing typology. Together with architecture by Walter Barda Design, Hugh Jones Mackintosh composes a textural and tactile interior response.

Passively cooled and ventilated, the structure opens to allow a full sensory immersion, calming inhabitants through an engagement of sounds, sights and smells of the natural elements.

Forming a muted base, white is used extensively throughout to emphasise the overall volumes that comprise the whole, whilst also reinforcing the house as a place of retreat. Together with natural tones and the use of timber and other natural finishes, the result tells a story of both people and place. Currently used as an occasional holiday home, the long-term plan is for the house to become a main residence, which led to a different mentality in terms of investment and longevity of finishes and detailing. It was therefore integral to ensure the conveniences of everyday life were catered for, whilst retaining the original charm and character of living within the area.

Integrating a personal expression was also key, treasured travel mementos became a pivotal aspect of the interior experience. Whilst the home feels reflective of the area, and of the more traditional and expected Australian coastal abode, the integration of more nuanced styling and finishes ensures a unique layering of self throughout. Set within an idyllic landscape designed by Dangar Barin Smith, the structure captures a generous stillness associated with the beach together with the modern touches that make a house a home.

Together with architecture by Walter Barda Design, Hugh Jones Mackintosh composes a textural and tactile interior response.

As a blank canvas for the coming years to unfold across, Bilgola Residence is staged for the imprint of family life. Hugh Jones Mackintosh and Walter Barda Design have crafted an enduring home that captures contemporary life whilst also speaking to its context.