Jardan Byron Bay by IF Architecture

Renowned furniture company Jardan’s Byron Bay showroom subtly replicates the rituals of home. In doing so, IF Architecture’s design skilfully reflects the Victorian-based brand’s local-first ethos, grounding the space within the spirit and energy of its coastal locale in New South Wales.

Being the fifth store IF Architecture has designed for the Australian furniture, lighting and homewares company, the brief called for an evolution of past design approaches. The showroom, a testament to this evolution, reflects an authentic Australian lifestyle and draws upon Byron Bay’s laid-back but increasingly design-savvy atmosphere.

The showroom, a testament to this evolution, reflects an authentic Australian lifestyle and draws upon Byron Bay’s laid-back but increasingly design-savvy atmosphere.

The showroom is part of the recentre generation of Byron Bay’s industrial area that now houses a plethora of niche retail spaces with a design focus. “The new location offers the opportunity to attract a community of like-minded souls who believe in quality, sustainability, local design and manufacturing and, above all, a holistic lifestyle,” says Jardan director Nick Garnham.

Stepping inside, there is a palpable sense of harmony with the slow pace and relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding streets. Large voids within the space painted in pearlescent gold add drama and reflect natural light, encouraging customers to look up towards the sunlight and the sky to connect visitors to their pristine surroundings once again.

Stepping inside, there is a palpable sense of harmony with the slow pace and relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding streets.

The large marble bench in the kitchen space is also a focal element, acting much like a gathering point at someone’s home. “There’s a coffee machine and a bar fridge, so it creates a much more relaxed environment while you’re looking at finishes and samples, almost as if you were catching up for a coffee at a friend’s house,” says Iva Foschia, director at IF Architecture. Continuing through the space, the showroom is divided by platforms that change in floor surface and height. Given the floor plan, this layout allows for different sections without making the space feel cramped.

Like the way volume is balanced, so too are materials and colour; they are pared back at times to highlight the pieces but bolder and more vibrant where the line-up is a little more subdued, offering contrast, interest and depth. “Jardan loves colour and pattern, so a lot of the materials and finishes we have used are a bit more subservient to the idea that the product is king, while the architecture and interior frame it,” notes Foschia.

Local materials have been favoured and the entire material palette is specifically selected to work with the region’s warm, humid climate.

Precast concrete wall panels are complemented by a mix of travertine tiles and timber flooring. A dynamic Patagonia marble is eye-catching, used at various moments and intentionally kept separate from Jardan’s more expressive products. Local materials have been favoured and the entire material palette is specifically selected to work with the region’s warm, humid climate.

Through a considered and innovative approach to volume, materials and context, IF Architecture challenges conceptions that a showroom should feel overly formal. Instead, Jardan Byron Bay is cocooning– it feels light, warm and relaxed yet remains elevated, much like a carefully curated home should.

Architecture and interior design by IF Architecture. Build by Kick Building. Project Management by Amicus.