Modernist Cool – Byron Bay Beach House by Jase Sullivan
Inspired by a global sensibility and resulting from an approach that drew from a Mediterranean calm and simplicity, Byron Bay Beach House sits comfortably within its coastal setting. Jase Sullivan overlays intentional refinement, combining playfulness with unique forms, tones and textures to create moments of the unexpected across the site.
Tasked with the transformation of a dated midcentury-style beach house into a 1970s-inspired Mediterranean villa, Jase Sullivan embarked upon a journey that fused a coastal retreat with an international eclecticism. Injecting bursts of saturated colours amid a mostly muted palette, Byron Bay Beach House is reimagined into a refreshing and outward-focused destination home. What started as a complete reconfiguration of the floor plan also morphed into the creation of a central focal point to anchor the home. The centrally located open courtyard space is that hub, where the use of expressive and generous archways softens the transition between inside and out.
With thresholds that are defined with a thin profile of steel and glass, the home’s outdoor places become as integral as those indoors. The original 1970s house, having undergone previous midcentury modern renovations prior, was well placed and readied for its next chapter. From a high-level approach, the planning was completely reworked, moving existing walls and realigning how the internal spaces intersected to create a better flow of movement. The key to this was the creation of the central core, which enhances access to natural light and air whilst creating a protective and private escape for the owners.
Each vertical and horizontal surface was approached as its own canvas and responds to both the function and the user of each space. Based in Melbourne, the owners wanted the home to be almost like a private hotel experience, capturing the essence of Byron Bay and merging it with the house’s unique personality. Among the vintage finds and iconic silhouettes dotted throughout the residence, the integration of key 1960s and 1970s materials such as the stacked stone and pastel tones ensures there is a strong narrative underpinning each space. The inclusion of hand painted cabinetry and handcrafted vintage Moroccan tiles ensures a celebration of local craft.
Injecting bursts of saturated colours amid a mostly muted palette, Byron Bay Beach House is reimagined into a refreshing and outward-focused destination home.
