Coogee 1

Completed 2021

Architect
SMYTH & SMYTH

Builder
PJP HOMES

Engineer
ZIMMERMAN ENGINEERS

Interior Designer
SMYTH & SMYTH

Interior Styling
STUDIO NINO & OWNER

Landscape Designer
TRUE FORM LANDSCAPES

Photographer
SIMON WHITBREAD

Designed as a forever home for a young family with three teenagers and a lively Kelpie, the brief focused on creating a functional, comfortable space with a strong connection to nature, separation between zones, and a usable backyard despite the steep Randwick site.

Natural materials, muted tones, and crafted details define the design. Board-formed concrete is used inside and out, bringing texture and warmth. The interior palette is restrained, evoking calm, while elements like timber and screening continue from exterior to interior to enhance cohesion.

A central stair acts as a spine through the home, connecting all levels and framing views of landscape and ocean. Living spaces open to the backyard with large sliding glass doors, allowing seamless flow between indoor and outdoor areas. The kitchen connects to an expansive outdoor deck with views from front to back, ideal for entertaining.

Materiality was key—practical finishes were chosen to achieve the desired aesthetic while offering durability and functionality suited to busy family life. The home balances openness with privacy: the upper level places the parents’ retreat at one end, and the teenagers’ bedrooms and bathrooms at the other, anchored by the stair.

Bathrooms continue the muted palette, using subtle tile variations to add depth. The powder room diverges in tone—moody, textured, and jewel-like, offering a unique moment within the calm of the home.

The result is a light-filled, grounded family home that responds to the site, celebrates the landscape, and offers lasting functionality as the family grows.

New contemporary family home that responds to the challenging sloped site. The living areas are located on the upper level to take advantage of the expansive views overlooking the park immediately in front, and Coogee beach beyond, whilst connecting to the rear landscaped garden and pool. Central courtyards bring greenery and natural light into the entry and bedroom lower levels.