Suffolk Park Residence

Located in Suffolk Park, Byron Bay, the original house was purchased in 2019, it remained untouched, and its backyard featured a clumsy garden. As this zoning allows for a secondary dwelling under the catchment of Byron Shire Council, the client wanted to include it as part of the brief. According to local planning controls, the total floor area of the new structure must be at most 60 square meters. 

 

Given this, the project was tackled as a clear slip; the ​residence integrates a first phase comprising a new pool and decking area to promote interaction with the outdoor space managing the sloping topography of the land and its proximity to the existing inground services. 

 

This design phase was resolved by implementing three elements: a private timber deck on the street side, an exposed concrete swimming pool, and a glass fence wrapping the structure that defines the shape of the volume. 

 

​The second phase, 'The Secondary Dwelling' ingeniously utilises this rear of the main property to include a single volume elevated from the ground, undisturbing the steeped existing ground. Also, natural light is utilised to create an illusion of spaciousness that defies the small size of the building. Externally, a simple yet effective palette is employed, with pale brownish cladding that beautifully contrasts with white window frames. The roof gracefully folds into the entryway, adding an elegant touch to the overall design. The walls are constructed using fibre cement panels, and the windows are double-glazed when south-facing. This is to meet the Basix requirements for managing Byron's climate. These design choices ensure that the spaces within the dwelling remain serene, but it also necessitates thorough consideration regarding the size and placement of windows to maintain cost-effectiveness.