BALLAST POINT HOUSE

Residential

13 Feb

A LYMESMITH collaboration with FOX JOHNSTON ARCHITECTS

It’s always a delight to work with architects on their own homes. Emili Fox was both client and architect in this project. Emili invited Lymesmith to assist with the paint finishes and final touches, for her house under construction at Ballast Point. The material character of the house was already well developed, featuring polished concrete floors, off-form concrete ceilings, pale birch plywood joinery and blonde Accoya wood window and door frames.

Designed for multi-generational living, the house sits across four levels, rising from a recycled brick basement level to sculptural roof spaces inhabited by private bedrooms and bathrooms. The mid-levels are wonderfully light, with north and south facing living spaces connected by gardens central to the interior planning.

Accordingly, the colour palette evolves as it rises; with stronger colours in the basement level, a light touch on the mid levels where concrete and timber are emphasised; in the upper level, an ethereal Duck Egg Blue capping each room with its own sky canopy.

In the main entry and living level, concrete floors and ceilings, blond plywood joinery and courtyard gardens softly carry and reflect light, giving the spaces an ethereal, breathing quality. Upstairs, the framed construction includes wainscoted walls and a faceted ceiling with carpets of deep indigo provide a grounding base note to the floating colours above.

Colour in the Ballast Point House is applied sparingly, with a light, deft touch.