Planet ocean

Anchored on the waterfront, this remodelled Palm Beach home basks in the pleasures of the seashore.

An old beach house in Palm Beach got a glamorous update by Id\studios AI that reconnects the property to its beautiful oceanic surrounds with no loss of privacy. What was the brief? We were asked if we were interested in upgrading a beach house. We felt the upgrade would miss opportunities for better outlooks that could be gained with a new build. Knocking down the old timber-framed house allowed us to use concrete slabs and steel portals to maximise operable glass walls spanning the cantilevered floor and roof structures. This approach led to strong clean lines from indoors to out, with generous overhanging terraces to the first floor and floating roof planes above. What were some of the challenges of the site? To overcome privacy issues we designed a dramatic two-storey, sawn-cut sandstone-clad blade wall and positioned it close to the boundary. We opened up the house with extensive floor-to-ceiling glass but layered large-leafed planting for privacy. What do you consider when designing for a coastal setting? You must capitalise on the views and the waterfront living experience. We maintain a casual, sophisticated, experiential base design philosophy with seamless integration and flow of internal and external spaces. Durable finishes and fittings were a must and using as many natural materials as possible. Describe the completed home? Understated and casually sophisticated – we wanted it to feel light, airy, open and coastal without seeming contrived. The property’s connection to the water’s edge is magical, framed by the dramatic two-storey sandstone wall salvaged from the original home, next to a tree that casts beautiful light patterns. The architecture is dramatic but understated, with overhanging planes of terraces and beautifully integrated custom zinc ‘shark nose’ roof gutters framing roof planes. How does the project respond to its coastal context? Outlooks from the living spaces are second to none in how they capture and gesture to their setting. How do the owners use the space? Originally intended as a weekender, the house is now the owners’ full-time home. They say it is a joy to live in as it is so filled with light and connected to the water. idstudiosai.com