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A Book-ish Home In Byron Bay

Architecture

Book lovers often ascribe novels and texts with personalities, and may even consider a book to be a friend. For the owners of this stunning Byron Bay property, the library is viewed as a co-inhabitant of the space!

We chat with Stuart Vokes and Aaron Peters, of Brisbane-based Vokes and Peters architects, about designing this highly personal home.

10th September, 2018

This low-lying home is designed by Vokes and Peters architects to look like a shadow! Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Light and breeze circulate through the property. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Bookshelves are a priority in this house! Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Indoor/outdoor living at its best! Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

A spot for outdoor reading. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Inside, internal timber walls are indistinguishable from shelving and cabinetry walls. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

A writing retreat! Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

When books are understood as co-inhabitants of the house. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Reading spot with a view. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

The interiors are fresh and light filled, with internal timber walls. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Bathroom detailing. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Sleep soundly with a book always within arms reach! Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Lucy Feagins
Monday 10th September 2018

This sleek Byron Bay home is located on the fringe of coastal suburbia, and backs onto a wilderness reserve of wetlands and sand dunes. The architects, Vokes and Peters designed the property to nestle into its environment, by envisioning a low-lying, single storey home, and a recessive, black exterior. This dramatic colour treatment creates a subtle trick of the eye, conjuring a sense of ‘a shadow under the canopy of the vegetation in the reserve.’

The owners of the house are the co-founders and ex-chair of the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival – and this connection to literature is visually apparent all throughout the home! The architects describe, ‘We discussed the idea of a house as a library, with books occupying every room, almost as co-occupants or pets of the household.’ The interior design of the home, where there is no distinction between the internal walls and solid hoop pine cabinetry, enhances the feeling of the library as centrepiece.

This home also features an independent writer’s studio, as the owners plan to establish a young writers fellowship. This space provides accommodation and mentorship to a young writer during the yearly writers’ festival. We can’t think of a more ideal writing environment!

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The Design Files acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

First Nations artists, designers, makers, and creative business owners are encouraged to submit their projects for coverage on The Design Files. Please email bea@thedesignfiles.net

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