Blushing Bondi Apartment by Studio Weave Architects
Designed by Studio Weave Architects, a narrow Bondi apartment is opened up to the natural light with the clever use of three materials: terrazzo, brass, and plywood.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Tom Ferguson
Drawing on the local area and beach vibe, the brief for Blushing Bondi apartment was simple: let in a maximum amount of natural light to reflect the sunny location.
Designed by Studio Weave Architects, the end result achieved this and much more, with a considered material palette and space-spacing measures throughout the spaces.
Pink accents and joinery, which is more like furniture, open up the narrow space to create an uncluttered and simple space, ideal for entertaining.
The material palette consists of three main elements carried throughout the apartment: terrazzo, brass, and plywood.
While it was important to simplify and modernise the apartment, Studio Weave Architects also embraced and held onto many of the existing elements such as ceiling cornice detailing.
‘I love the contrast between old and new, as the old existing elements work to further highlight the interventions we made within the apartment,’ says Davin Turner director of Studio Weave Architects, ‘There was nothing wrong with those existing elements - they’ve been there for over 50 years so I didn't think we should remove an element which has so much value and craftsmanship. I prefer celebrating them.’
The soft, pastel hues of the beach-side location provided a unique reference point for the material palette within the spaces, seen through the use of terrazzo on kitchen bench tops and in the bathroom. In contrast, the plywood used throughout draws on the ‘sands of Bondi - but also provides a warmth to offset the terrazzo and the brass — furthermore, the curves of the island bench reflect art deco architecture, which is also reminiscent of Bondi,’ says Davin.
The end result is a relaxed and light-filled space that is a reflection of its immediate environment with just the right amount of intrigue for welcoming guests and entertaining.
Blushing Bondi is a 1960s apartment renovation set in an set deco building by Studio Weave Architects. Photo: Tom Ferguson
“The existing elements have been there for over 50 years so I didn’t think we should remove an element which has so much value and craftsmanship. I prefer celebrating them.”
The kitchen island bench was designed to feel more like a piece of furniture in the open-plan space. Photo: Tom Ferguson
Curved corners and elevated brass legs soften the kitchen bench. Photo: Tom Ferguson
Unique joinery pieces that are like furniture and a pastel colour palette seamlessly connect the kitchen and living areas. Photo: Tom Ferguson
“The plywood picks up on the sands of Bondi, but also provided a warmth to offset the terrazzo and the brass, tying it all together.”
A brass-bordered glass panel divides the bathroom into wet and dry zones. Photo: Tom Ferguson
Brass hardware and finishes are found in the bright bathroom space. Photo: Tom Ferguson