Bay Pearl by Kirsten Johnstone Architecture transforms an existing Brighton family home through an innovative renovation and reconfiguration.

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture and a team of specialised collaborators have transformed an existing house in Brighton into an unrecognisable modern family home. The pivotal architectural element is a second-storey addition, which is designed to maximise natural light and open up new spatial dimensions within the property.

This new addition actively reorients the home towards its protected north-facing garden and introduces an internal courtyard. The design language is one of “light, soft interiors and tactile brick walls.”

Materiality was critical in this project and demonstrate the value of high-quality Australian craftsmanship. The external façade features raw, silvery-grey brickwork alongside inky, black cladding. The combination is modern and refined, bringing a contemporary face to the streetscape.

The interior spaces are equally compelling, incorporating finely detailed steel elements in contrast to lush wool carpets from the Victoria Carpets Torridon range.

The project carefully considers the practical considerations needed to make this a spacious-feeling family home. Large format concrete tiles have been installed with under-tile heating, addressing the functional needs of the space. This is most apparent in the bathroom, where the same external design language is translated to the interior forms, as seen in the square forms and tiling.

While the cool-toned bricks, concrete-effect floor tiles and dark metal facade could easily feel cold and uninviting, the designer has introduced timber detailing and green outlooks. Timber kitchen cabinets and a timber-lined ceiling aid in creating a cocooning sense of warmth and liveability.

The fine external bricks are introduced in the interior along a feature wall, creating a harmonious balance between inside and out.

Premium fixtures and fittings contribute to the functional needs and a desire to create a home that can stand up to the measures of family life. Bay Pearl is thoroughly modern, with an integrated outlook to its leafy surrounds.

Project details

Architecture and interiors – kjarchitecture.com.au
Photography – Tatjana Plitt