A Tranquil Escape – Woorak House by CM Studio
Imagined primarily as a retreat, Woorak House taps into escapist ideals through a calming and meditative palette. CM Studio draws on a predominantly mono-tonal approach, softened through the textural addition of timber and other textile elements throughout, connecting to nature and the densely curated landscape the home is immersed within.
Nestled into the dense established foliage of Palm Beach, Woorak House is a sanctuary first and a residence second. Designed as a space where the client can retreat to and connect with, the home allows its wall and window openings to open generously and encourage natural ventilation, natural daylight and illumination inward, creating an uninterrupted flow between inside and out. Deliberately casual, the resulting home reflects the spirit of its coastal locale while also offering itself as an ideal recharge destination. CM Studio combine an approach of crisp and refined contemporary lines with a softer and curved resolve, both coming together through purpose and creating a place of effortless and relaxed balance.
The home is imagined as offering subtle changes to mimic movement through the series of spaces, allowing for unexpected and meditative moments to transpire.
Built by Bau Group Construction together with Saltwater Joinery, Woorak House is the coming-together of an open and organically curved approach within the rectilinear exterior built envelope. Through combining the textural with the muted and softly supple, the resulting spaces imbue their own inherent sense of calm while also following the natural flow of movement within the space. The home is imagined as offering subtle changes to mimic movement through the series of spaces, allowing for unexpected and meditative moments to transpire. As an occasional home, the brief was to create a unique destination in itself, referencing numerous international locations and dissecting what makes them unique, which are then reinterpreted through a contextually appropriate lens.
Although without visual beach connection of its own, the choice to focus inward sees a series of pavilions and courtyards intersect on site and create unexpected moments to pause. The adjacency to its neighbouring site of a landscaped reserve offers inspiration to focus on the landscaped elements within the site, instead of the expected concentration on capturing a coastal view. Framed views and curated openings become portal type threshold that are further highlighted through the use of a mono-tonal palette. Woorak House sees the layering of natural elements of stone and marble together with textural and muted timber and crafted plaster walls, Marrakech render, brass and terracotta to create its own texturally rich result.
Woorak House beautifully captures the essence of Palm Beach, while not actually focusing on the beach proper. CM Studio has conjured a space of unique natural abundance, one that duly welcomes its visitors and invites them to unwind.
