A new Byron Bay build captures hints of the Mediterranean with oceanic highlights, resulting in a beautiful place to stay for a night — or a lifetime.
Step inside Samudra House and be transported to the sea. Brilliant white features capture light in the space while paying homage to the foam-tipped waves of the Pacific just 100m in the distance. Sandy toned elements in myriad different textures mimic the shore while creating a coastal tone to a home that isn’t in fact in a Mediterranean village, but right here in Australia’s Byron Bay.
Samudra House was part of a larger development project, The Vela Properties, undertaken by founder of The Designory, Melissa Bonney. It is situated on a large 1012sqm block where a 40-year-old house once stood. “The existing home was demolished to create a site for three boutique four-bedroom homes,” says Melissa. These consist of Sikata (Melissa’s abode), Lavana (a family home) and of course Samudra, a gorgeous ocean-inspired dwelling situated
on the corner of the allotment under a majestic gum tree. “This section of the land is encircled by trees and reaps access to breathtaking afternoon sunsets,” says Melissa. “It’s absolute heaven.”
The majestic gum served as part of the design inspiration for Samudra, with custom gable glass windows and a huge void on the northern side of the home capitalising on its beauty and creating a relationship between Samudra’s features and the local flora. In fact, as you ascend the gently curved staircase to the second level, a skylight above offers glimpses of the olive-green canopy, with the gum tree’s leaves dancing in the air above you as if you were ascending a treehouse. This was underscored by timber accents framing the windows, again reminding the visitor of that natural connection and celebrating the natural environment of Byron Bay.
The bathroom is another place where timber is allowed to shine. Timber handles on the vanity are the perfect partner to handmade tiles, with the specific type varying throughout the home. Some shimmer like pearlescent shells on the beach, while others enjoy a rough sandy hue. “With a focus on texture, Samudra is designed for the senses,” says Melissa. “Warm and grounding, you’ll find handmade finishes, brushed metals and natural light filling each room, and you’ll leave brim-full with earth-filled serenity.”
Yet easily the biggest connection to the ocean the home enjoys is found in the undulations forged throughout the structure. “Designed with soft curves everywhere, the joinery, island benches, shower dividers, partition walls and even the skylights pay tribute to the gentle waves of Byron’s oceans,” says Melissa.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the home is the curved void. This dramatic space is emphasised with oversized round paper-style pendants, suspended from the ceiling like the moon over the ocean. The void welcomes in a generous amount of natural light and forms flow between spaces. It also allowed for “the formation of a gallery area, which overlooks the breathtaking gum tree,” says Melissa.
The curves continue in the outdoor entertaining area, where a generous pool tempts guests to take a splash. “The pool has been custom designed to fit within a surround of palm trees, its curved concrete structure celebrated with a simple rendered and painted finish that was inspired by the cliffside pools of Greece,” says Melissa. This pool isn’t the only outdoor attraction Samudra boasts. A corner lounge invites guests to sit and wile the day away while looking over the sparkling water, and a covered outdoor dining table is perfect for a charcuterie board or a meal in the temperate evening air.
This focus on entertaining is shared by all three of the development’s properties. All share some common features, including a connection to nature and the local environment, yet they are all unique. “There was a lot to consider not only for each individual home, but also for the three houses and their relationship to each other,” says Melissa of the design process. “We were not only focused on ensuring all three houses were oriented to the north to capture the optimal aspect, but we also ensured that each home faced away from the other to ensure visual and acoustic privacy. Translucent windows were included along any adjoining elevation, and balconies included large planter boxes to soften the bulk and scale but also to add an additional element of privacy and sound barrier.” Melissa and The Designory team also had significant heritage and flood planning considerations for the project, which drove a number of their initial planning and design choices.
Through it all, respect for the local environment was a priority. “We worked with local timbers, natural stones and handmade products throughout the build,” says Melissa. “We incorporated concrete slabs for all of the flooring to optimise the thermal mass and passive heating and cooling opportunities. We included 10kW solar on each home along with 5000L water tanks.”
Words Lauren Clarke