Immersive Retreat – Bay Blue by Hugh-Jones Mackintosh
Marrying a relaxed outdoor living style synonymous with Australian with the laid-back and sun-soaked appeal of the West Coast of the US, Bay Blue emerges as an immersive and calming retreat. Hugh-Jones Mackintosh integrates a unique expression of character into the reworking of Bay Blue to capture both a sense of place and those living within.
Openly connected to its abundant and secluded landscape setting, Bay Blue is defined by a welcoming warmth and openness. As a reflection of its owners, the existing home is reworked to reflect their experiences and showcase treasured items they have collected over the years. Nestled into an established and green neighbourhood in San Francisco, the site is removed from the flanking homes and feels distinctly removed once within the bounding edges. Merging the calm characteristics of an Australian sensibility with that of living on the West Coast of the US, the home encourages an engagement with the outdoors. Hugh-Jones Mackintosh works to balance the heavier materials on site with a more contemporary lightness.
An important gesture lies in the integration of glazed openings that brings both natural light and airflow through the interior. The existing home is replanned to foster a deeper connection the landscape whilst a palette of deep blues cocoons the spaces and other lighter clad areas. As an oasis that deliberately brings the garden into its everyday functions, the home boasts moments of meditation and reflection that are carved into its architecture. Through expressive furniture, lighting and an impressive contemporary art collection, the spaces reflect a sense of self and an appreciation for the arts.
Designed to accommodate a growing family, the interior spaces remain flexible and adaptable for the coming years whilst facilitating interaction and an energetic animation. From a mostly neutral and natural base palette, playful touches of colour are inserted throughout and are boldly introduced. Through the use of unexpected wallpaper and whimsical features such as unique lighting fixtures and furniture, there is a playfulness present that balances the structured planning and sequence within the home. The original building underwent a loving transformation, revealing a more open and connected interior. Steel and glass windows welcome the outside world in, creating a feeling of expanded generosity, and with window treatments kept restrained, views both out and within encourage visual reminders of place.
